Talks between Foreign Minister Okada and Canadian Minister of International Trade Van Loan

June 6, 2010
Japanese

Canadian Minister of International Trade Van Loan(Photo)

Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held talks with Mr. Peter Van Loan, Minister of International Trade of Canada, for about 30 minutes from 9:30 a.m. on June 6 (Sun) in Sapporo where Minister Okada was staying to attend the Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade. The overview of the talks is as follows.

Japan-Canada economic relations

Minister Okada welcomed Canada’s posture positive to the strengthening of relations with Asia, in particular with Japan. The two ministers shared the recognition that it is important to further deepen cooperative relations in the economic fields between Japan and Canada, including cooperation within APEC and economic partnership in the Asia-Pacific region. In this context, Minister Van Loan requested that Japan consider the possibility of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Canada.
The issue of local content requirements in Canada’s Ontario Province

Minister Okada expressed concern over the measure of local content requirements regarding solar power generation in Ontario Province, Canada, and requested early remedy of the measure. In response, Minister Van Loan, while referring to Canada’s federal system of government, said he will convey the concern to provincial officials concerned.
The issue of beef imports from Canada

Minister Van Loan requested relaxation of Japan’s import conditions concerning Canadian beef. Minister Okada said that it is important to secure food safety on the basis of scientific evidence.
Postal system

Minister Van Loan raised the issue of Japan’s postal reform, referring to concern voiced by Canadian financial institutions. Minister Okada said that Japan took into consideration the consistency with international agreements in preparing the postal reform-related bills.
Japan-Canada cooperation on peace and security

Minister Van Loan conveyed a message from Mr. Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, to Minister Okada, which sought to promote cooperation in the area of peace and security between Japan and Canada. Minister Okada exemplified possible areas of cooperation such as peacekeeping operations and nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, and said that Japan would like to deepen cooperation between the two countries in the peace and security field.

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