Executive Council
February 20, 2009NL Expressed
Concern with Canada � EU Trade Negotiation Process
While Newfoundland and Labrador fully supports
improved trade with the European Union, any actions taken in that regard
must address priority areas of concern for the province said the
Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. In
particular, the province is extremely hesitant to allow the Federal
Government to head these negotiations, given past actions that question
their commitment to issues of importance to the province.
"At this point, we are not willing to sign on to
support the negotiation of a new and comprehensive economic agreement
with the European Union," said Premier Williams. "This decision should
not be confused with a lack of support for an improved trade
relationship between Canada and Europe. Indeed, Newfoundland and
Labrador values and respects its trade relations with Europe which have
existed with the province for over 5 centuries and does not wish to
jeopardize those relations. From traditional relationships within the
fishing industry to our newer partnerships with EU companies in the oil
and gas industry and beyond, we appreciate the value of developing
mutually beneficial policies with the EU."
The province has centuries-old trading relationships
with the EU and is positioned geographically as a natural trading
partner to the EU. However, other concerns prevent the province from
giving unqualified support for the Canadian Government�s process as it
moves forward on the basis of a joint Canada-EU scoping document which
describes the opportunities for enhanced trade and investment between
the European Union and Canada and identifies numerous potential areas of
discussions for a possible deepened economic agreement.
"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is unable
to support this at this time on the basis of very genuine concerns that
our province�s issues may not be safeguarded or dealt with in an
appropriate way by the Federal Government," added Premier Williams. "In
particular, long standing issues such as custodial management of our
fishery, a proposed ban on seal products into the EU and prohibitive
tariffs on seafood products entering the EU represent significant issues
of concern that have been left unaddressed by the Federal Government for
far too long. Newfoundland and Labrador has not received any assurances
that a Canada-EU agreement would include protection for measures such as
the Atlantic Accords and Fish Inspection Act.
