Brussels, 19/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - Due to recent events, co-operation against terrorism dominated the work of the EU/Canada Summit in Ottawa on Thursday. "The recent terrorist attacks in Spain remind us forcibly that we need to set up efficient international devices to bring terrorists to justice and to counter situations which generate hatred", said Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin after the meeting. Europeans and Canadians also discussed the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the Middle East, Haiti, Afghanistan and Iraq. When asked about the differences of opinion between most European countries and the United States on Iraq, the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi said that the "gap is grower narrower", adding that, although there were "big differences" in appreciation last year, "in the last months there were signals of rapprochement in the European countries and the United States". However, this Summit should mark the start of an era of reinforced co-operation between Europe and Canada. Despite the attention to the problem of terrorism, the Summit nonetheless kept all its promises on this point, with, in particular, the adoption of the "Partnership between the parties agenda" and of the framework for the future bilateral trade and investment enhancement agreement (see also EUROPE of 17 March, p.13).
In the joint statement published after the Summit, the EU and Canada stressed the importance both attach to strong and effective multilateral institutions, whether in the field of politics or economics. Both sides condemned the attacks on Madrid, an "atrocity, which convinces us al the more of the need to work together to tackle to pre-eminent threats to global security, including the scourge of terrorism". They announced their intention of continuing to reinforce the action they are carrying out within the international community in fighting terrorism, "with full respect for human rights and freedoms and in defence of these common values".
Europeans and Canadians also confirmed their faith in multilateralism in terms of the protection of international natural resources, "including fish stocks", and climate change.
They proceeded to examine the reform of the UN, and agreed to support efforts made by Kofi Annan to breathe new life into the Organisation. They showed determination "to make decisive progress in 2004" on the Doha Development Agenda.
Still in the spirit of multilateralism, the EU and Canada pronounced themselves in favour of "clear international principles to authorise, in exceptional circumstances, external intervention on the territory of a sovereign country in order to avoid a humanitarian disaster".
On regional conflicts, those taking part in the Summit stressed the need to unite their efforts against the threat of nuclear proliferation in Iran. They expressed their willingness to promote democratic stability and economic reconstruction in Afghanistan and Iraq "as soon as possible", and their support to the national reconciliation process and the restoration of the rule of law in Haiti. Launching an appeal for the peace process in the Middle East to be relaunched decisively, Europeans and Canadians declared themselves "disposed, with the US and other partners, to respond favourably to a request from countries of this region for aid for political economic and social reform".
Europeans and Canadians also adopted their "Partnership Agenda", which reinforces and underpins existing links between the EU and Canada. The document provides for reinforced co-operation between the parties in the fields of foreign and security policy, justice and home affairs, the environment and world growth prospects. Europe and Canada will intensify their relations to support the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, to make air transport safer, to conclude the Doha Development Agenda and to meet the challenges of poverty and climate change.
Last but not least, the Summit agreed on the framework for the future agreement to enhance trade and investment (TIEA) between the EU and Canada. The TIEA will go beyond the usual market access issues, notably by working to reduce obstacles to trade and investment flows. Both sides agreed to start negotiations this year.