January 19, 2005 Prime Minister Martin and Prime Minister Koizumi met today in Tokyo and discussed a wide range of issues and challenges facing the world. The Prime Ministers also discussed the recent Tsunami disaster that struck several Asian and African countries and reaffirmed their commitment to work closely with the international community to provide relief to the region. The Prime Ministers recognized that the bilateral partnership of trust and friendship fostered over the years between the peoples of Canada and Japan, founded on such shared basic values as democracy, freedom and promotion of the market economy, remains solid, but that it still has a potential yet to be realized. The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their determination to further broaden and deepen the partnership, so that both sides can together meet the challenges facing the world more effectively. The Prime Ministers shared a view that while A Global Partnership for the 21st Century continues to provide guidance in this effort, innovative use of the various resources, including human and intellectual resources, will increasingly be important. The Prime Ministers shared a view that enhanced foreign policy coordination between the Governments of Canada and Japan would be conducive to peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. They reaffirmed their determination to continue to work together to support international efforts for a safer world, and identified new areas for collaboration in response to new challenges that have arisen in the post-9/11 world, as specified in the 2005 Canada-Japan Agenda for Peace and Security Cooperation. They also recognized the need for the early realization of UN reform, particularly reform of the Security Council. They also discussed the Canadian initiative for a meeting of G20 Leaders to discuss issues of global concern, such as terrorism, development and global public health. For bilateral economic relations to reach their full potential, remaining challenges to bilateral trade and investment must be identified and, overcome through practical and cost-effective means. In this regard, the Prime Ministers confirmed their will to address strategic economic priorities and emerging opportunities through an innovative Canada-Japan Economic Framework to be developed within six months. Under this framework, a joint study will be launched on further promotion of the bilateral economic relationship. They also committed to the science-based resolution of the BSE issue, and expressed their continued will to work for the early resumption of trade, fully taking into account the importance of food safety. In terms of global trade and investment, they reaffirmed the need for an early and successful conclusion to the Doha Development Round of the WTO. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the renewal of the Canada-Japan Forum and looked forward to the Forum's upcoming report on the future bilateral partnership. - 30 - PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555 BACKGROUND Launching an Innovative Canada-Japan Economic Framework Economic ties have formed a cornerstone of the Canada-Japan relationship. Today, trade in goods and services spans the full spectrum of economic activity, bilateral investment has reached an all-time high and cooperation in science and technology is steadily increasing. In order to propel economic relations toward their full potential, the Governments of Canada and Japan will launch discussions for the development of a flexible, innovative Canada-Japan Economic Framework. This framework will be structured to focus on forward-looking strategic priorities, including policy dialogue, facilitation and promotion of trade and investment, regulatory cooperation, and the promotion of cooperation in a wide range of fields, including the following priority areas: social security, anticompetitive activities, food safety, customs, trade facilitation, transportation, investment, science and technology, information and communication technology, e-commerce, e-government, energy and natural resources, climate change, tax convention, and tourism promotion. Under this framework, building on the significant cooperation that already exists between the two countries, Canada and Japan will: Address new and emerging economic challenges and opportunities, as well as respond in an effective and timely manner to the concerns of the Canadian and Japanese private sectors; Promote economic cooperation through policy as well as business development initiatives, with a focus on enhancing both countries' capacities in innovation and in the knowledge-based economy; Launch a joint study on the benefits and costs of further promotion of trade and investment and other cooperative issues. The full text of the Canada-Japan Economic Framework is posted on the following website: http://www.international.gc.ca/ni-ka/2005_Launch_Econ_Framework-en.asp 2005 Canada-Japan Agenda for Peace and Security Cooperation Peace and security is an area in which the Governments of Canada and Japan have made a considerable international contribution, and continue to share much in common in their foreign policy objectives, and therefore, have a potential for working more closely and more effectively. Canada and Japan will intensify bilateral cooperation and dialogue by sharing ideas and resources particularly in the following areas: responding to terrorism, fighting transnational organized crime, enhancing regional stability and human security, advancing non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament objectives, increasing bilateral security and defence exchanges, enhancing the ability of the United Nations to deal with new threats, and cooperating to achieve a comprehensive resolution of North Korea issues. The full text of the 2005 Canada-Japan Agenda for Peace and Security Cooperation is posted on the following website: http://www.international.gc.ca/ni-ka/2005_Peace_Security_Agenda-en.asp
