Trade and Economic Cooperation Arrangements (TECAs)

The Kingdom of Norway

Signed at Ottawa, Canada, December 3, 1997

Arrangement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway

The Government of Canada and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway (hereinafter referred to as "Canada" and "Norway"),

• Desiring to enhance the traditional bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries acknowledged in the Convention of Commerce and Navigation between the United Kingdom and Sweden and Norway (with additional Article), done at London on March 18, 1826 and extended to Canada by the Convention signed at Kristiania., May 16, 1913;
• Building on their respective rights and obligations under the Agreement establishing the WTO, other multilateral instruments, in particular of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as well as under bilateral instruments of trade and economic cooperation;
• Reaffirming their mutual commitment to effective implementation of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO);
• Noting the importance they attach to the development of transatlantic relations;
• Acknowledging that nothing in this Arrangement affects the rights and obligations of either Party to the other Party under Agreements to which they are both Parties;
• Acknowledging their intention to strengthen, through continued and institutionalized dialogue, conditions favourable to the expansion and diversification of bilateral trade and investment;
• Wishing to explore opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation in other areas and activities;
• Have reached the following understanding:;

Objectives

Canada and Norway will seek to:

• enhance economic relations between the two countries, in particular trade in goods and services as well as investment;
• strengthen their cooperation with a view to liberalizing trade between them by identifying and working toward the removal of measures that impede or distort bilateral trade and investment flows; and
• increase the participation of the private sector in both countries, in particular of smaller and medium-sized enterprises, in bilateral economic cooperation.

Liberalization of Trade and Investment

In conformity with their international commitments, especially within the context of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Canada and Norway will endeavour to create the most favourable conditions for liberalization of trade in goods and services as well as of investment between them in accordance with the attached Joint Work Program.

Canada and Norway will collaborate on investment issues, with a particular focus on cooperating in the development of a Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) and in an effective work program in the WTO.

Canada and Norway will examine all questions defined in the Joint Work Program influencing bilateral economic relations or their respective interests respecting trade and investment in third countries, including multilateral and plurilateral questions of common interest arising in appropriate fora.

Promotion of Trade and Investment

Canada and Norway will encourage the expansion of trade and investment between the private sectors of both countries.

To this end they will, in particular, foster regular exchanges of information on opportunities for trade and investment and for other promotional initiatives, including contacts on the business level, in accordance with the Joint Work Program, set out in the Annex to this Arrangement.

Consultative Group

Canada and Norway hereby establish a Consultative Group to ensure the implementation of this Arrangement and the fulfilment of its objectives. The Government of Canada will be represented by the Minister for International Trade, or designee, and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway will be represented at ministerial level or by designated representative. Private sector representatives may participate in the Consultative Group, with the consent of both Canada and Norway.

The Consultative Group will convene periodically, ordinarily every eighteen months, alternatively in Canada and Norway, as may be arranged by Canada and Norway. Sessions of the Consultative Group will be chaired by the host country.

Consultations

Canada and Norway declare their readiness, on request, to promptly enter into consultations on any question relating to bilateral economic relations, trade or investment.

Other Provisions

This Arrangement may be amended by the written concurrence of both Canada and Norway.

The Arrangement comes into effect on signature and will remain in effect unless terminated by either Party on 180 days notice to the other Party.

Done in duplicate at Ottawa, this 3rd day of December 1997, in the English, French and Norwegian languages, each language version being equally valid, for the Government of Canada and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway.

Annex

Joint Work Program

This Joint Work Program constitutes an integral part of the Arrangement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway signed on December 3, 1997.

The Joint Work Program includes the following areas of priority interest:

• Liberalization of trade and strengthening of economic cooperation;
• Identification and analysis of factors and measures, including those of third countries, influencing bilateral trade and investment;
• Definition of options and appropriate actions in order to promote market access for goods and services; and
• Cooperation in the WTO, inter alia, on public procurement, trade and environment, trade and competition, trade-related intellectual property measures, investment, and technical barriers to trade.

Promotion of trade and investment

• by exchanging information on technology, international trade and business opportunities in all economic sectors;
• by encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in trade and economic cooperation;
• by promoting economic missions, trade fairs and industrial expositions, symposia, conferences and technical presentations;
• by encouraging joint efforts of the private sector in third country markets; and
• by promoting cooperation between the petroleum sectors of Canada and Norway.

This Joint Work Program may be reviewed and revised periodically by the Consultative Group.