Seymour Crawford
Question:39 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on EU relations with the USA and Canada; and the priorities set in relation to both. [26513/02]
Written Answers. - EU Relations with US and Canada.
The European Union attaches the highest degree of importance to its relations with both the United States and Canada. The countries of the EU, the United States and Canada share the same heritage based on democratic principles and respect for human rights. In addition, the economies of the two regions enjoy a high degree of interdependence and account for almost half of the world's economic activity. Against that background it is in the interests of the EU, the US and Canada to work together to resolve differences where they may exist, whether in the political or economic spheres, and to promote their common goals and interests in the world.
There is a formal framework for meetings between representatives of the EU and the US and Canadian authorities. A summit level meeting takes place once a year with the US while meetings at ministerial level take place in the intervening period. The most recent summit, attended by President Bush, was held in Washington on 2 May 2002. The next EU-US meeting at ministerial level will be in Washington on 18 December 2002. Summit meetings with Canada are held every six months and the next will be in Ottawa on Thursday, 19 December 2002. In both cases, international issues of importance in the political and economic fields are considered, as are any transatlantic bilateral issues which are current.
In the economic area, the first priority is to work with both the US and Canada towards a balanced outcome to the latest round of multilateral trade negotiations, known as the Doha Development Agenda. This round is now entering a crucial phase and is due to conclude at the beginning of 2005. Another major priority is to deepen the bilateral economic relationship between the EU and the US, including through tackling obstacles to trade. The EU-Canada Summit on Thursday is expected to launch a review of the bilateral trade relationship with a view to developing this close relationship even further.
In the broader political area, the aim is to further develop co-operation with the United States and Canada on a range of issues. Discussions at the ministerial meeting in Washington will focus on the situation in Afghanistan, Iraq and North Korea, and on co-operation in the fight against terrorism. There will also be a discussion on issues in relation to Africa, including conflict, famine and development co-operation. The EU and the US also work closely together as members of the Quartet in seeking a peaceful resolution to the Middle East peace process. The EU-Canada summit will include discussions on the strengthening of multilateral approaches to shared problems, co-operation in the fight against terrorism, the Middle East, Iraq and North Korea.