Jerusalem –21 January 2014
The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening its bilateral relationship with Israel in a broad range of areas. To this end, on January 21, 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper witnessed the signing of a Canada-Israel Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which reaffirms the close and special friendship that underpins the bilateral relationship, and lays out a strategic direction for stronger future relations between the two countries.
The Strategic Partnership touches on energy, security, international aid and development, innovation, and the promotion of human rights globally - areas where Canadian and Israeli expertise can be leveraged to improve lives at home and around the world.
The MOU will facilitate:
- additional bilateral agreements;
- negotiations towards a modernized bilateral free trade agreement;
- further scientific research cooperation;
- stronger cooperation in the energy sector;
- more business linkages, including in innovation;
- marked growth in security and intelligence cooperation;
- closer academic ties;
- enhanced government and private-sector partnerships;
- enhanced defence and security relations; and,
- development cooperation.
The above initiatives will be undertaken with a view to advancing common interests and contributing to jobs, growth and economic prosperity in both Canada and Israel.
