Costa Rica, Canada to Re-Open Free Trade, Sign Deal On Air Transport.
August 11, 2011.
During his visit to Costa Rica, Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, offered security aid to help Costa Rica cope with an influx of international organized crime and drug gangs and said that the two countries will re-open the free trade agreement with Costa Rica to deepen market access for Canadian firms.
“More than 10,000 of my fellow countrymen, drawn by Costa Rica’s stability and high standard of living – and perhaps your weather – have made their homes here,” Mr. Harper said during a visit to the Costa Rican capital of San José.
“Costa Rica is an important partner for Canada in Central America, one of the most like-minded, in fact, with similar views on human rights, security and free trade.”
Costa Rica is Canada's major trade partner in Central America, signing a free trade in 2002.
Harper added that the expansion of the trade deal does not extend to services "and no longer corresponds to the current spirit of cooperation on labour and environment."
He said Costa Rica would now be eligible for assistance from a $15-million annual fund dedicated to countries in the Americas to help them fight crime.
Under this assistance, Canada would train up to 250 Costa Rican national police offers annually through a three-year program run by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This will teach them investigative techniques including surveillance, intelligence-gathering and case management.
Canada will also provide communications and navigation equipment for Costa Rica’s new police academy and provide security training for protecting tourists.
Mr. Harper said he and Costa Rican president Laura Chinchilla discussed the crime threats faced by her country, “especially from transnational criminal organizations.”
During the visit, the two countries also signed an air transport agreement that gives air carriers more flexibility in routes, frequency and pricing, which should also cut costs for travelers.
The Canadian government, which is trying to eliminate its deficit within four years, also cut a deal with Costa Rica that should help it find tax cheats who are skirting their taxpaying obligations. The tax information exchange agreement will allow Costa Rica and Canada to exchange necessary tax files and combat tax evasion.
Trade has been the top item on Harper's agenda on a Latin American tour.
