International Policy Statement
The International Policy Statement (IPS) is a statement published by the government of Canada in April 2005 . It is the first comprehensive framework for international politics in Canada that regards the areas of foreign, development, trade and defense policy as a coherent whole.
content
The IPS outlines the role Canada should play in international affairs in the future. The importance of revitalizing the North American partnership and introducing a number of innovations at the international level is underlined . Promoting a new multilateralism is the cornerstone of Canada's foreign policy.
On many points, the declaration closely approximates numerous positions of the European security strategy . She names the fight against terrorism and organized crime , the stabilization of “failed” and “failing” states (→ weak states ), the pursuit of a non-proliferation policy and the safeguarding of justice and sustainability in the global community as the most important challenges .
Relations with Europe are seen as a key factor for Canada's prosperity and for success in advancing its international interests. The relations with the most important European partners ( Germany , France , Italy and Great Britain ) in the Canadian foreign policy are assigned a special meaning and the European Union is seen as a strategic partner of Canada.
The IPS recognizes that numerous global issues need to be resolved in cooperation with the European Union and its member states. She refers to the already existing cooperation both in the search for efficient multilateral solutions, in safeguarding common security interests (e.g. in Ukraine and the Balkans ), in tackling global environmental issues ( overfishing and global climate change) and in countering terrorism and in joint action against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction .
The declaration welcomes the development of a European security and defense policy that will enable Canada to participate in averting common threats and in peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations.
The growing importance of the European Union in the world - as an economic great power, linked to the United States as the greatest economic power in the world - is clearly stated and recognized in the IPS. Trade and investment to and from Europe will rank second behind the United States in terms of their importance to the Canadian economy and technology base. For this reason, the negotiation of a new trade and investment promotion agreement between Canada and the European Union for Canada's program of action in this area is seen as a priority, as it can realize the full potential of Canada's economic relations with Europe.