Canada to Bolster Latin American Relations

(The Globe and Mail)

Canada will continue to bolster relationships in Latin America through more free-trade agreements and the support of Canadian companies doing business there, Canada’s trade minister said Friday.

The federal government is in free-trade talks with many countries in the region, including Guatemala and Honduras, and will table a bill this fall for an FTA with Panama, Peter Van Loan said in a speech to a Toronto audience. Canada has strengthened ties with the region in recent years, and more Canadian companies are expanding there because of its high growth potential and geographic proximity.

“These countries are aggressively moving forward, embracing science, technology and innovation as never before, and reaching out to the world for business opportunities,” he said. Panama, he added, is a key market because of its “unique place in the global trading system,” where expansion plans for the canal are generating opportunities for Canadian companies.

Minister of State Kent to Promote Cooperation in the Americas with Key European Partners

(Industry Canada)

The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas), today announced that he will travel to Brussels and Berlin from July 18 to 22, 2010, to promote Canada’s engagement in the Americas and discuss shared security challenges rooted in the hemisphere.

“Organized crime and drug trafficking pose significant security and governance challenges, particularly in Central America and the Caribbean,” said Minister of State Kent. “In our increasingly globalized world, a regional security challenge can quickly transform into an international threat. Our experience in tackling drug trafficking shows that isolated efforts, even effective ones, cannot result in lasting success. We must resolve to work together to confront these collective security threats.”

While in Brussels, the Minister of State will meet with Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development, with responsibility for the Caribbean and reconstruction in Haiti, with Latin American and Caribbean ambassadors to the European Union and with Médecins sans frontières.

During his visit to Berlin, Minister of State Kent will meet with Werner Hoyer, Minister of State at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, and with German parliamentarians. He will also participate in a round-table discussion on Latin America with German foundations and think tanks active in the region.

“Canada is committed to working collaboratively with countries throughout the region and around the world to establish a safer, more democratic and prosperous hemisphere,” said Minister of State Kent. “This visit is an opportunity to increase joint action with Germany and the European Union. We look forward to working together with these key partners to advance our shared objectives in the hemisphere.”

Mulroney Heaps Praise on Harper's Pursuit of Latin American Free Trade Deals

(Mike Blanchfield — The Canadian Press)

Former Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney gave a rare thumbs-up to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Monday night, lauding his aggressive pursuit of free trade in Latin America.

“This is how you create jobs,” Mulroney told a gathering of current and former diplomats and politicians at a speech celebrating the 20th anniversary of Canada’s entry into the Organization of American States.

“This demonstrates to how Canadian interests can be served more efficiently by enlightened foreign policy.”

Mulroney heaped praise on Harper’s Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, and Peter Kent, the portfolio’s junior minister responsible for Latin America.

Canada’s trade with Latin America, Mexico and the Caribbean has grown seven times to $46 billion since the late 1980s, said Mulroney. Read more here.

The Challenges in Latin America: The Importance of Increased Economic and Political Integration

(University of Chicago via UC Channel)



Ambassador Charles S. Shapiro, Senior Coordinator for the Western Hemisphere Free Trade Agreements Task Force, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

Note: canada presently has free trade agreements with Chile, Columbia, Panama, Peru and Costa Rica. Free trade discussions are being conducted with the Andean Community Countries, the Carribbean Community, the Dominican Republic, Central America Four (C4). Canada is also party to the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations. Additionally, Canada has Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection (FIPAs) with a number of countries in Latin America.

PM Pleased with Progress Made at the 2009 Summit of the Americas

(The Prime Minister’s Office)

Summit produces greater cooperation and dialogue in the hemisphere

Canada is pleased with the progress made by participants in the 2009 Summit of the Americas to fight the impact of the global recession on the Western Hemisphere, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said today [Sunday].

“We sought to keep the focus on the global economic crisis and I am pleased with the substantive discussions I had with my counterparts on ways we could work together as part of the global response,” said the Prime Minister. “I am also pleased that, for the most part, leaders were in agreement that maintaining open markets is critical to a regional and a global recovery.”

“We saw a tremendous reciprocation of that spirit as the conference went on by other members, who at times have had divergent views.”

To further strengthen ties between Canada and other states in the Americas, the Prime Minister announced several new trade and development initiatives at the summit. Canada will be doubling its commitment to the Inter-American Development Bank. In addition, the Prime Minister announced a five-year technical assistance program to help countries that have signed or are about to sign trade agreements with Canada. Canada will strengthen its support for democracy in the Americas through a substantial new contribution to the Organization of American States Electoral Assistance Initiative.

“We also wanted to continue building Canada’s engagement in the Americas, and I had several good meetings with leaders in pursuit of that goal,” said the Prime Minister. “Overall, this Summit has been successful from Canada’s point of view.”

Minister Day Highlights Successful Visit to Latin America

(FAITC)

The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today highlighted a successful foreign visit, his first in his new portfolio.

“We have had a full schedule, and have accomplished a great deal in a short time,” said Minister Day, following the conclusion of the 20th annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting.

Minister Day travelled to São Paulo, Brazil, on November 17 and 18 before travelling to Lima, Peru, on November 19 to attend the APEC meeting.

While in Brazil, Minister Day and Sergio Machado Rezende, Brazil’s Minister of Science and Technology, signed the Canada-Brazil Agreement on Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation. Minister Day also witnessed the signing of an agreement between Canadian Light Source Inc. and the Brazilian Association of Synchrotron Light Technology, operator of the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory. The agreement will benefit both countries by developing one of the most valuable scientific tools for the investigation of new materials, biomedical samples, and biological and chemical processes.

At the APEC Ministerial Meeting, Minister Day underlined the importance of liberalizing and encouraging trade and investment, as set out in the Meeting’s agenda. Along with this program, Canada is also fully supportive of further reducing “behind-the-border” barriers.

Minister Day also addressed Canadian business leaders during his trip and underscored the importance of international cooperation during difficult economic times.

While in Peru, Minister Day is meeting with several of his counterparts, including those from the United States, Mexico, Australia, South Korea and New Zealand, to reiterate the importance of bilateral cooperation, as well as open trade and investment. He is also meeting with Peruvian Trade Minister Mercedes Aráoz Fernández to discuss next steps for the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement, as well as other issues, such as corporate social responsibility.

“Canada is a major player in the international extractive sector, and our companies have significant investments and operations in many regions around the world, including Peru,” said Minister Day. “Canadian companies realize that a commitment to corporate social responsibility is a commitment to their own success.”

APEC, which has 21 members, is the most important forum for economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Its members account for 54% of world GDP, 41% of world population and 42% of global merchandise trade. It brings together four of Canada’s top five trading partners, from both sides of the Pacific, and works to facilitate trade and investment in the region.