News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PM wraps up successful visit to Latin America

August 12, 2011
San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today wrapped up a highly successful visit to Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and Honduras during which he met with political and business leaders and announced 25 initiatives in a broad range of areas, including on trade, air transportation, taxation, development co-operation, and support for human rights, peace and security. These initiatives will deepen Canada's ties with these important hemispheric partners.

"Canada continues to be an active player in the hemisphere, strengthening economic ties with its partners, improving market access and promoting security," said Prime Minister Harper. "The many agreements signed during the visit will support job creation and economic growth in Canada and for our trading partners, which in turn, will contribute to advancing security and democratic governance in the region."

The objectives of the trip were to promote and enhance security in the region and to increase Canadian prosperity through trade and investment. The following results demonstrate that these objectives were met:

In Brazil, the Prime Minister announced the following 11 initiatives:

• An Air Transport Agreement
  
• An Agreement on Social Security
  
• A Memorandum of Understanding on Olympic Games Cooperation
  
• A Memorandum of Understanding on International Development Cooperation Effectiveness
  
• A Canada-Brazil Strategic Partnership Dialogue
  
• Renewed Funding for the International Science and Technology Partnership Program
  
• The development of a Science and Technology Action Plan focused on innovation
  
• The first scholarships granted under the "Canada-Brazil Awards: Joint Research Projects"
  
• The Governor General's leading of the Canadian delegation for the next Conference of the Americas on International Education to be hosted by Brazil in April 2012
  
• The creation of a Canada-Brazil CEO Forum, and the appointment of Mr. Rick Waugh as Canadian co-chair of the Forum
  
• The opening of three new Visa Application Centres

In Colombia, the Prime Minister announced the following 4 initiatives:

• The entry into force of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement on August 15, 2011
  
• Increased Canadian international development assistance to benefit children, at-youth risk and promote human rights
  
• Support for new and ongoing projects that will enhance peace, security and justice in Colombia and the region
  
• Colombia's accession to Canada's Military Training and Cooperation Program (2011-2014)

In Costa Rica, the Prime Minister announced the following 7 initiatives:

• The launch of negotiations to modernize the Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement, with a commitment to conclude negotiations one year from now
  
• An Air Transportation agreement
  
• A Tax Information Exchange Agreement
  
• Canadian support for the Costa Rican Police Enhancement Program to help Costa Rican national police officers gain advanced training and mentoring through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  
• Canadian contribution of equipment to the Costa Rican police academy
  
• Canadian support for capacity building and security training for the Costa Rican tourism industry
  
• The opening of a new Visa Application Centre in Costa Rica

In Honduras, the Prime Minister announced the following 3 initiatives:

• The conclusion of negotiations toward a Canada-Honduras free trade agreement
  
• Canadian support to increase food security in Honduras
  
• Canadian support to help address regional security challenges in Central America, including Honduras

The measures announced over the course of this visit are intended to enhance commercial flows, regional stability and security. They build upon the many successes of our Government's Americas strategy, which is focused on promoting prosperity at home and in countries of the Western hemisphere, reinforcing democratic governance, increasing economic prosperity and advancing our common security.

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Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada in San Pedro Sula, Honduras

August 12, 2011
San Pedro Sula, Honduras

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the following remarks while in San Pedro Sula, Honduras:

"Mr. President, I am delighted to be here with you today, on what I know you have said is an historic day.

"And I know I also speak for the entire Canadian delegation when I thank you for your warm welcome to this country.

"I am also hopeful that the discussions we are having today will lead to a new era of partnership and enhanced friendship between the peoples of Honduras and Canada.

"First, I congratulate you upon your readmission to the Organization of American States.

"Canada fully supported this important step, and as you know, our then-Minister of State for the Americas, Peter Kent, worked diligently to secure it.

"It is a hard-won accomplishment under difficult circumstances and bodes well for this country's future.

"We should also both take satisfaction from a long history of bilateral relations.

"This year marks the 50^th anniversary, and today's visit should be taken as evidence of our earnest desire for a stronger relationship with Honduras – one based upon a commitment to human rights, democracy, security and prosperity.

"A better life is one of humanity's universal desires and it takes many things to effect lasting improvements for a nation.

"Friends of Honduras, such as Canada, are therefore encouraged by the initiatives you have taken.

"Mr. President, in particular the establishment of a ministry dedicated to justice and human rights.

"We are also hopeful that the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will help the country move forward.

"However, we strongly believe that prosperity, general and widespread, is essential to any nation's full enjoyment of peace, freedom and democracy.

"And if prosperity is the key to these great objectives, so is trade the key to prosperity.

"On this trip, I have announced significant steps forward in our trade agenda for the Americas: exploratory trade talks with Murcasur in Brazil; the coming into force of our Agreement with Colombia; and beginning negotiations on a second-generation accord with Costa Rica.

"I am now very pleased to announce today, with you Mr. President, the successful conclusion of free trade negotiations between our two countries and the signing of this Agreement.

"Our experience shows that the removal of barriers to trade is the most efficient tool
that governments possess, to generate growth and to generate and create jobs.

"Modern trade agreements, such as that to which we are putting our signatures today, also give labour and environmental concerns their appropriate weight.

"Mr. President, we have supported Honduras in the past and as it confronts difficult challenges, we will continue to do so.

"Our hearts are very much with you.

"And, in this same spirit of friendship, I would like to invite you, to return to Canada in the near future."

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Backgrounder

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Canada-Honduras free trade agreement

August 12, 2011
San Pedro Sula, Honduras

The Government of Canada is committed to an ambitious free trade and investment agenda that will create new opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, along with the President of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo, announced the conclusion of negotiations toward a Canada-Honduras free trade agreement.

Canada and Honduras agreed to pursue bilateral negotiations in October 2010, following almost nine years of talks between Canada and the Central America Four countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Canadian and Honduran officials met in Ottawa in December 2010, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in February 2011, and again in Ottawa in July 2011 to advance discussions.

Honduras offers promising opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers. In 2010, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Honduras totalled $192 million. Canadian exports to Honduras totalled $40.8 million and consisted mainly of fertilizers, machinery and dye. Canadian merchandise imports from Honduras totalled $151.2 million, consisting mainly of fruits, and knit and woven apparel.

According to Statistics Canada, the stock of Canadian direct investment in Honduras reached $110 million at the end of 2008. Canadian companies active in Honduras are involved in the apparel, mining and manufacturing sectors, among other areas.

Canada is carving out a free trade leadership role in the Americas. In the region, we have concluded agreements with the United States, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia and Panama, and will continue to pursue free trade agreements across the hemisphere.

Canada has 6 FTAs in force, with a total of 10 countries: NAFTA (United States, Mexico), Israel, Chile, Costa Rica, European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and Peru. On August 15, 2011 a 7^th agreement with Colombia will enter into force.

FTAs with Panama and Jordan have been signed and negotiations with Honduras have concluded.

Free Trade Agreements are in various stages of negotiations with the following 51 countries: Ukraine, Morocco, European Union (27 Member States), Caribbean community – CARICOM (Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago), Dominican Republic, Central America Three (El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua), India, South Korea and Singapore.

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News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PM announces conclusion of free trade negotiations with Honduras

August 12, 2011
San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the President of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo, today announced the conclusion of negotiations toward a Canada-Honduras free trade agreement. The announcement was made during an official visit to Honduras by Prime Minister Harper.

"Our Government received a strong mandate to implement our ambitious job-creating free trade plan that will benefit Canadians," said Prime Minister Harper. "A free trade agreement with Honduras is a key part of our Government's agenda to open new markets for Canadian businesses, create new opportunities for our workers and contribute to Canada's future prosperity."

A free trade agreement with Honduras will benefit Canadian workers and businesses in regions across the country and in many sectors of the Canadian economy, including agriculture, professional services, value added food processing and manufacturing, as well as commodity- and resource-based industries.

The Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement, including strong parallel agreements on labour standards and practices, and environmental protection, will come into force once both countries complete their domestic ratification processes.

Since 2006, Canada has launched an ambitious free trade plan, increasing opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses by concluding new free trade agreements with eight countries: Colombia, Jordan, Panama, Peru and the European Free Trade Association member states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Negotiations are also under way with the European Union and India, which, taken together, could boost Canada's economy by at least $18 billion.

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Backgrounder

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Food security projects in Honduras

August 12, 2011
San Pedro Sula, Honduras

On August 12, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced support for the following food security projects in Honduras: the World Food Programme Honduras Country Program, the World Food Programme School Feeding, the Food and Agriculture Organization Special Program for Food Security, the Agriculture Value Chain Initiative, as well as the Promoting Food Security in the Choluteca and Rio Negro and the Nacaome and Goascorán Watersheds. These projects – administered through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) – are in line with Canada's Engagement in the Americas strategy and the Aid Effectiveness Agenda.

Since 1969, Canada has provided nearly $500 million in Official Development Assistance to Honduras. With total bilateral aid in 2009-2010 exceeding $23 million, Honduras is a country of focus for international assistance for Canada.

World Food Programme (WFP) Honduras Country Program ($6.1 million)

This initiative contributes to improving the nutrition, health and food security of Honduras' poorest populations, specifically, pre-school and school age children, as well as pregnant and lactating women.

The School Feeding component supports access to education by providing a daily meal to boys and girls attending pre-schools and schools in southwestern Honduras. Activities are intended to increase attendance in these establishments in the most vulnerable areas of the country.

The Reduction of Child and Maternal Malnutrition component (REDI) aims to assist vulnerable groups, such as pregnant and lactating women, and children under five years of age by addressing their special nutritional and health needs. Through micronutrient supplementation and distribution of monthly household food rations, the project helps to reduce malnutrition and anemia in vulnerable groups.

Food and Agriculture Organization Special Program for Food Security ($17 million, 2010-2015)

This five-year food security project aims to build local capacities in key areas such as diet diversification, sustainability of agriculture production systems and the promotion of better nutritional education and health practices. The ultimate outcome of the project is improved food security for vulnerable households in the poorest municipalities in Honduras.

Agriculture Value Chain Initiative ($12 million, 2010-2017)

This initiative comprises two projects, with two Honduran partners: Sustainable Coffee Production, with the Honduran Institute for Coffee, and Promoting High-Value Cacao Agro Forestry Systems, with the Honduran Foundation of Agricultural Research. The goal of the Initiative is to enhance food security in sensitive rural areas of Honduras. It aims to increase the annual income of small-scale producers through improvements in productivity, quality, and diversity in the coffee and cacao sectors.

The Sustainable Coffee Production project provides assistance to 15 coffee cooperatives in 15 municipalities. To achieve this, the Honduran Institute for Coffee (IHCAFE) will promote sustainable coffee production practices, such as shade-grown pesticide-free coffee in order to shift small-scale producers away from traditional practices that generate low yields and income and pollute water sources. IHCAFE provides training to producers, access to credit, higher-yielding plants, as well as technology to improve harvest quality and reduce losses. The Institute also helps cooperatives develop business plans, marketing strategies and assists them in obtaining internationally recognized organic certification, which enables producers to gain access to high-value international coffee markets.

The Cacao Agro Forestry Systems project aims to help 2,500 small-scale hillside producers in 24 municipalities in northern Honduras. To achieve this, the Honduran Foundation for Agricultural Research (FHIA) will promote the replacement of low-value crops with high-value cacao agro forestry systems. This change diversifies production and provides small-scale producers with significantly increased income. The introduction of sustainable agriculture practices, such as natural pest control and soil conservation measures, helps to reverse environmental degradation and enables small-scale producers to access higher-value international markets.

Promoting Food Security in the Choluteca and Rio Negro Watersheds (PROSADE) ($13 million, 2010-2017)

The PROSADE project aims to enhance food security for some 24,200 poor rural families in the Choluteca and Rio Negro watersheds in southern Honduras, through improved agricultural productivity, diversity and the promotion of sustainable natural resource management practices.

The project includes the following key activities:

• Providing technical assistance and training to farmers;
• Increasing access to drought-resistant seeds for production;
• Promoting the adoption of environmentally sustainable farming practices;
• Providing assistance to municipalities to enable the development and implementation of integrated watershed management and disaster prevention plans; and
• Creating a self-sustaining financial mechanism that will enable small-scale farmers to access credit in order to acquire new technologies and for municipalities to finance water system rehabilitation.

Food Security in the Nacaome and Goascorán Watersheds (PRASA) ($12 million, 2010-2016)

The PRASA project aims to enhance food security and increase income for 3,000 poor rural families in southern Honduras through improved agricultural productivity and sustainable natural resource management.

The project includes the following key activities:

• Developing integrated watershed management and land use plans;
• Implementing plans through the rehabilitation of water systems and the creation of family gardens;
• Raising awareness at the community level of the importance of protecting natural resources – especially water – through educational social activities; and
• Strengthening local institutions and organizations through workshops and the provision of technical assistance.

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News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PM announces Canadian support to increase food security in Honduras

August 12, 2011
San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced Canadian support to increase food security in Honduras, especially children and those in the poorest regions of the country.

"The lack of access to safe and nutritious food is one of the major obstacles to reducing poverty in developing countries," said Prime Minister Harper. "Canada's support will address immediate needs in Honduras, contribute to sustainable agricultural development and help to create the basis for prosperity."

The projects and programs announced today include support for the World Food Programme in Honduras, which focuses on school nutrition and reducing child and maternal malnutrition, and for the Food and Agriculture Organization, which aims to improve food security of vulnerable households in the poorest municipalities in Honduras. As a result of these programs, over 171,000 children and pregnant women will receive healthy foods, and 28,000 families will benefit from improved food security.

Other projects announced today include the Agriculture Value Chain Initiative, working with Honduran organizations to help increase the annual income of small-scale producers through improvements in productivity, quality, and diversity in the coffee and cacao sectors, as well as food security projects in the Choluteca and Rio Negro, and Nacaome and Goascoran Watersheds.

These projects continue to build on Canada's Engagement in the Americas strategy and the Aid Effectiveness Agenda.

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News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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PM announces contributions to security enhancements in Central America

August 12, 2011
San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced increased support to help address regional security challenges in Central America, including Honduras.

"Our Central American partners are making important efforts to address the security challenges posed by the illicit activities of criminal networks operating in the region," said Prime Minister Harper. "Canada's support demonstrates our Government's strong commitment to enhancing security and stability throughout the Americas, including Honduras."

Canada's contribution is funded by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada's Anti-Crime Capacity-Building Program (ACCBP), launched by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2009. The funding will support a variety of projects that strengthen the capacity-building efforts of state agencies and regional institutions that are at the front-lines of combating transnational crime in Central America.

The ACCBP provides support to enhance the capacity of beneficiary states through international organizations and non-governmental entities to prevent and respond to threats posed by transnational criminal activity throughout the Americas. In Central America and the Caribbean, the program focuses on reforming the security sector, combating illicit drug trafficking and preventing crime.

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Backgrounder

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Enhancing security in Central America

August 12, 2011
San Pedro Sula, Honduras

On August 12, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the Government of Canada is contributing over $9.2 million to help promote the following projects in Central America, including Honduras.

Canada's contribution is funded by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada's Anti-Crime Capacity-Building Program (ACCBP), which was launched by Prime Minister Harper in 2009. The funding will support a variety of projects that strengthen the capacity-building efforts of state agencies and regional institutions at the front-lines of combating transnational crime in Central America.

Port Security Assistance Program

This regional initiative will provide national port security assessments, follow-on training, and workshops on maritime security and crisis management exercises, with expertise contributed by Transport Canada, among others. This project is implemented by the Organization of American States' (OAS) Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE), the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission and the Inter-American Committee on Ports. All OAS Member States in Latin America and the Caribbean participate in this project. Canada's contribution totals over $4.3 million.

Regional Container Control for Latin America

This initiative, being implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), will assist governments in minimizing the risk of shipping containers being used for illicit drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and other forms of black market activity at sea and dry ports. This project is also contributing to the collection, sharing and analysis of information between countries on containers and training relevant agents to identify and inspect high-risk freight containers with minimum disruption to legitimate trade and business. Participating countries include Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Panama. Canada's contribution totals over $1.9 million.

Capacity-Building in Travel Document Security and Identity Management in the Americas

This project, implemented by the Organization of American States' CICTE, is a technical cooperation initiative intended to assist beneficiary States throughout the Americas to achieve compliance with international document security standards, as well as other best practices regarding travel documents from the International Civil Aviation Organization. Canada's contribution totals over $1.2 million.

Global Scientific Forensics Support Programme

Under this initiative, UNODC is developing and disseminating standardized forensic training and reference materials, which will be implemented in Latin America. The program's 20 participating countries are Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Canada's contribution totals over $387,000.

Global Synthetics Monitoring: Analyses, Reporting and Trends (SMART) Programme

This initiative enhances the capacity of authorities in the Americas to generate, manage, analyze, and report synthetic drug information, as well as apply the knowledge to the design of national and regional strategic policy and programme interventions. This project is being implemented by UNODC and includes 20 participating countries: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Canada's contribution totals over $369,000.

National Drug Control System

This project, implemented by UNODC, supports and maintains the National Drug Control System, created in 1996. Its ultimate objective is to implement a sustainable system that can be operated by UN Member States with minimal input and assistance from UNODC, as a means to implement the UN Drug Control Conventions in participating states. The participating countries are Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Canada's contribution totals over $181,000.

Strengthening the Capacity to Combat Trafficking in Persons in Latin America

This project, implemented by UNDOC, aims to ensure that the participating countries have access to a manual on combating trafficking in persons developed from global best practices in their native language. The twelve participating countries are Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. Canada's contribution totals over $98,000.

Foreign Drug Co-operation

The goal of this initiative is to assist foreign law enforcement agencies in developing the knowledge, skills and investigative techniques which are essential to the successful investigation and prosecution of drug-related offences by providing counter-drug training and promote best practices amongst law enforcement agencies battling the challenges of organized crime in Central American and the Caribbean. Beneficiary countries include Costa Rica, Belize, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. This project is being implemented by the RCMP, with a Government of Canada contribution totalling over $71,800.

Marine and Port Security Drills and Exercise Workshop

This initiative is intended to enhance marine and port security for the mutual benefit of all participants. Key activities include discussions and the sharing of lessons learned between numerous international partners on topics ranging from maritime and port security to national, regional and international best practices and perspectives. ST Education & Training Private Ltd. and Transport Canada are joining forces on this initiative. Participating countries are Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Canada's contribution totals over $41,000.

Special Investigative Methods Project

The Special Investigative Methods Project, implemented by the Justice Education Society of British Columbia, aims to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies in Central American countries through the provision of equipment and training on investigative methods — such as surveillance and forensic video analysis — which are critical in the fight against sophisticated criminal networks. Canadian funding for the Honduras portion of this project totals over $567,600.

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