Canada's application for observer status with the Council of Europe

Canada's application for observer status with the Council of Europe

Doc. 7505
18 March 1996

REQUEST FOR AN OPINION FROM THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS

Letter from the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers to the President of the Assembly, dated 15 March 1996

Dear Madam President,

            I have the honour to inform you that, by the attached letter of 1 February 1996, addressed to the Secretary General by Mr Lloyd Axworthy, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Canada has requested observer status with the Council of Europe. At their 560th meeting (5-12 March 1996), the Deputies decided to inform the Parliamentary Assembly of their intention to adopt, at their 562nd meeting (1-4 April 1996), subject to the Assembly's concurring opinion, a resolution offering Canada a similar status to that granted to the United States of America in Resolution (95) 37.

Signed:
Marie-Louise Overvad
Chairman of the Ministers' Deputies

Appendix

Letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Canada to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
dated 1 February 1996

Dear Mr Tarschys,

            Pursuant to your suggestions that Canada and the Council of Europe develop closer relations, I would like to request your assistance and support for Canada's decision to seek observer status at the Council of Europe under Statutory Resolution (93) 26 on Observer Status, adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 14 May 1993.

            Over the years, Canada and the Council of Europe have established close links. Canada is actively engaged in many of the activities of the Council especially in the fields of culture and cultural heritage, human rights, various legal fields including legal co-operation, migration, public health, education, social questions and sports. As you know, Canada is an observer at a considerble number of committees and regularly participates in ministerial conferences on a variety of issues.

            In 1988, Canada obtained the status of observer on the Steering Committee on Cultural Co-operation and on the Culture and Cultural Heritage Committee. Canadian ministers have been invited to participate in conferences, inter alia, of European ministers responsible for cultural affairs and heritage, justice and migration. An Enlarged Agreement on culture and cultural heritage matters between Canada and the Council of Europe, which will not be pursued any more if Canada obtains observer status at the Council of Europe, has been negotiated over a long time. Canada also hosted the European Ministers of Justice Conference in 1991 and the 11th Colloquium on Legal Data processing in Europe, in October 1993 in Montreal.

            As a country with deep European roots and a persisting close relationship with Europe, Canada desires to further strengthen its co-operation with the Council of Europe in all fields. The 1993 resolution on observer status to be granted to non-members has provided a framework for such a relationship.

            I trust you will support Canada's candidature to obtain the observer status as early as possible. Thank you for your consideration.

signed:
Lloyd Axworthy