22/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - Welcoming the signing of the bilateral agreement of wines and spirits, the Canadian authorities were particularly pleased with the foreseeable consequences such as "a significant opening of the European market to Canadian products". "This agreement reinforces relations between Canada and the EU as it gets rid of all friction in the wines and spirits sector" and "solidifies Canadian access to the European market", commented International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew. Indeed, apart from the benefits the Europeans can hope to derive from it, the agreement notably offers Canada a simplified certification procedure for the exportation of its wines to the EU, and an assured protection for its geographical indications, including "Okanagan Valley", "Niagara Peninsula" and "Canadian Rye Whiskey".