Canada and Israel Strategic Partnership
(22 January 2014)
http://www.international.gc.ca/name-anmo/canada_israel_MOU-prot_ent_canada_israel.aspx?lang=eng
Printable PDFMemorandum of Understanding:
Canada and Israel have shared a close partnership since 1948 and the founding of the Jewish State of Israel, based and built on the foundation of a shared commitment to a common set of core values, principles and interests such as democracy, free markets, security, peace, justice, human rights and freedom, which have guided the development of their full, mutually beneficial and supportive relationship,
Understanding that the security of Israel and the wider region directly affects the security of Canada,
Recognizing that Israel, Canada, and all nations of the world, under the UN Charter, have the right to live in peace and security and the right of self-defence;
Considering that they have a long history of diplomatic cooperation, bilaterally and in a variety of multilateral fora,
Wishing to deepen their relationship by enhancing their bilateral engagement and cooperation across the widest possible spectrum to promote and enhance these values, commitments and interests, resting on the four central pillars of diplomatic partnership: security, economic prosperity and culture and education,
Building on an already extensive network of linkages, agreements, arrangements and understandings;
Understanding that the intent of the Canada-Israel Strategic Partnership is to provide a forward-looking framework – covering the four pillars, which will provide additional structure and strategic direction to the further development and strengthening of their bilateral relationship,
Wish to found a Strategic Partnership with this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
1. A Diplomatic Partnership
Establishing a Diplomatic Partnership between Canada and Israel,
Considering that they are vital and dynamic members of the international community,
And that they are committed to exploiting fully the opportunities available to jointly advance their common interests and values,
Considering that the promotion and protection of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law is an integral part of their respective society and foreign policy,
Acknowledging that Canada is recognized globally for its leadership on human rights issues, taking principled positions to promote universal values of pluralism and tolerance throughout the world,
Understanding that attempts to isolate, delegitimize and undermine Israel violate core international principles, are at odds with Canadian and Israeli values of tolerance and mutual respect, and prevent meaningful dialogue,
Enhancing Canada and Israel’s respective and collective capabilities, and building on already substantial foundations, a Canada-Israel diplomatic partnership will advance the national interests of both of them,
Considering that their regular consultations and diplomatic engagement have enhanced linkages and deepened their mutual understanding of regional and global challenges,
Wishing to broaden the already wide spectrum of formal and informal understandings that have guided the diplomatic relationship to give it additional focus and direction,
Aiming to ensure that International Institutions remain true to their ideals, principles and Charters, as they apply to all responsible members of the international community while creating opportunities to advance peace, prosperity, human rights and democracy,
Understanding that regular consultations, diplomatic engagement and collaboration between them will deepen bilateral linkages and broaden mutual understanding of regional and global challenges.
A. Government to Government Meetings: Recognizing the importance of Government to Government meetings that deepen the relationship and the cooperation between them,
Canada and Israel will:
B. Ministerial Contacts:
Canada and Israel will:
C. Foreign Ministry Cooperation: Recognizing that cooperation between Foreign Ministry officials is frequent, covering formalized consultations and ad hoc, issue-oriented discussions in Ottawa and Jerusalem and multilateral fora,
Canada and Israel will:
D. International Development Cooperation: Under the terms of the CIDA‑MASHAV Memorandum of Understanding signed at Ottawa in December 2012,
Canada and Israel will:
E. Multilateral Cooperation: Recognizing that there is wide scope for consultations and strategic planning across the spectrum of multilateral organizations,
Canada and Israel will:
F. Cooperation in Multilateral Organisations:
2. Defence and Security
Recognizing that both Canada and Israel seek the right to live in peace, with security, as members of the international community, Canada and Israel are committed to ensure this reality,
Sharing a deep commitment to defend freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law and standing together to jointly protect these common values through their renewed and strengthened partnership,
Pledging to strengthen their defence and security cooperation by continuing to fully implement existing security initiatives and by intending to enhance information and intelligence sharing while seeking new opportunities to fulfill their shared vision of safe and secure societies,
Furthering their shared commitment of greater peace and security, guided by the principles of openness, cooperation, and partnership and working together with the deepest respect for each other’s unique contributions to the relationship,
Canada and Israel will base the scope of their activities for this deeper defence and security relationship on the following seven themes:
A. Increased Security Discussions between Relevant Ministries and Departments: Recognizing that frequent exchanges enable them to share information and build a common understanding of the threats they are facing, they have met frequently for talks on a wide range of issues, which has helped greatly in establishing a strong and open security and defence relationship.
To further benefit from this relationship, Canada and Israel will hold:
B. Broader Defence Relations: Recognizing the signature by the Canadian Department of National Defence and the Israeli Ministry of Defence of the Principal Memorandum of Understanding (PMOU) on January 10, 2011 as a milestone in their defence relations, resulting in a significant increase in defence ties,
Wishing to further the improvements to the defence relationship which have already been accomplished since the signing of the PMOU and other arrangements,
Canada and Israel will:
C. Strengthened Counter-Terrorism Collaboration: Recognizing the threat that terrorism poses and wishing to protect their citizens against those who desire to attack their democratic societies,
Canada and Israel will strengthen counter-terrorism collaboration by:
D. Advance Regional Security and Middle East Peace:
Canada and Israel will work toward greater regional stability and security and in supporting Middle East Peace efforts by:
E. Enhanced Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness: Understanding that information sharing and cooperation on public safety issues and emergency preparedness is well entrenched between them and that it continues to grow,
Recognizing further that Public Safety Canada and the agencies under its portfolio have excellent relations with Israel’s Ministry of Public Security and other partner agencies (such as the Ministry of Home Front Defence), particularly in the context of the 2008 Canada-Israel Declaration of Intent, which prioritizes broad areas for ongoing cooperation, including Critical Infrastructure Protection; Correctional Services and Prisons; Law Enforcement Cooperation; Border Management and Security; Emergency Management; and Crime Prevention.
Taking into account the 2008 Canada-Israel Declaration of Intent, Canada and Israel will:
F. Cyber Security: Recognizing that malicious cyber activity can undermine the significant economic and social benefits that accompany the growth of cyberspace and technological innovation,
Canada and Israel will:
G. Improved Aviation Security: Understanding that cooperation between Transport Canada and Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety is a key component of enhancing the security of their aviation systems – in particular strengthening the security of Canadian and Israeli airline passengers and air cargo,
Canada and Israel will work together to facilitate and enhance cooperation to protect their air transport industries and the travelling public, including working toward a Declaration of Intent to advance the following key objectives:
3. Economic Prosperity
Recognizing that they are trading nations, and both their economic growth and prosperity in both Canada and Israel are inextricably linked to trade;
Considering that the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA), combined with a range of other economic agreements, provides a facilitative framework for the development of a prosperous economic partnership and that such instruments reflect their goodwill to more fully develop commercial linkages between them,
Recognizing that there is considerable scope to expand and more fully develop the commercial partnership by improving the framework, knowledge and understanding of the opportunities available to the private sector in each country;
Committing to engaging their business communities to ensure that the economic partnership reaches its full potential;
Canada and Israel will:
A. Expand the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA):
B. Conduct Trade and Investment Missions:
C. Promote Science, Technology and Innovation:
D. Improve Global Economic Conditions:
4. Science, Culture, Education and Sport
Considering the full respect for the legislative powers of the provinces and territories of Canada and the full respect for the legislative powers of the Government of Israel in the fields of education and training, and the autonomy of the higher education and training institutions;
Considering that they share a set of core values and people-to-people linkages which form a core foundation of the bilateral relationship,
Understanding that cultural and academic exchanges, either formal or informal, reinforce a long tradition of people-to-people ties which supports these linkages and underlines the natural affinity between their citizens,
Canada and Israel intend to:
A. Scientific cooperation:
B. Academic exchanges:
C. Cultural exchanges:
D. Sport:
5. Law and Society
Considering they share the core values of a democratic legal culture respecting human rights, promoting children rights, and encouraging civil society participation,
They will, inter alia:
6. Reporting and Assessment
7. Final Dispositions
Canada or Israel may terminate this MOU by giving a written notice to the other country.