EU, Canada pledge to boost cooperation on anti-terrorism, climate change and trade

The European Union (EU) and Canada on Tuesday pledged to boost cooperation on anti-terrorism, climate change and trade in an EU-Canada summit hosted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair via a video link.

Joining the video conference in London, Brussels and Ottawa were Blair, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.

"We are working together to make multilateralism effective and cooperating closely in the fight against terrorism." the leaders said in a joint statement after the meeting.

According to the statement, EU and Canada reaffirmed the commitment to tackle climate change, and agreed to improve world trade to deliver economic growth, and to work together to tackle the threat of bird flu.

"We share similar views on the necessary elements for future international cooperation on climate change ... We are determined to meet our commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, and will continue to implement comprehensive and cost-effective measures as necessary, and to work together to develop new low-carbon technologies," said the statement.

On the WTO/Doha Development Agenda (DDA), the EU and Canada agreed to continue to push for a high level of ambition for the end result of this round.

"This is the only way for the DDA to deliver real economic growth, development and poverty reduction. To this end, we call upon all Parties to ensure that the Hong Kong Ministerial meeting of December generates significant advances to the overall negotiation." the statement said.

"We call upon all Parties to contribute to increasing the level of ambition in these negotiations and also to contribute to progress across all negotiating areas including agriculture and enhanced market access for goods and services." said the statement.

In the face of the threat from Avian Influenza and possible pandemic influenza, the EU and Canada agreed to work together closely in support of the multilateral organizations.

"We support the outcomes of the meeting in Geneva organized by the WHO earlier this month as well as those coming out of other international initiatives, including the Ottawa Ministerial on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness." said the statement.

Source: Xinhua