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Meeting of Bilateral Dialogue on Raw Materials  – Joint Report

The first meeting of the Bilateral Dialogue on Raw Materials established under Article 25.4 of CETA took place in Brussels on 16 November 2018.

A. Opening Remarks and Policy Priorities

Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) and the European Commission explored co-operation based on complementary policy priorities with a particular focus on supply/demand of raw materials and on sustainable values chains. EU Member States and the Government of Quebec who attended the meeting presented their expectations for this dialogue and their views on the priorities.

B. Discussion of Research and Innovation Priorities

NRCAN and the European Commission will share the results of research and innovation projects related to raw materials, where results are in the public domain and not subject to a non-disclosure agreement. Both parties also agreed to identify areas of common interest on research and innovation for the raw materials life cycle.

C. Discussion on Responsible Mining and Sourcing

NRCAN and the European Commission agreed to continue to exchange best practices on sustainable mining in all jurisdictions, including globally, and to identify relevant international fora at which they could promote the values of sustainable mining and responsible sourcing.

D. Trade and Investment Flows

NRCAN and the European Commission agreed to continue to work together to find synergies and complementarities to boost investment opportunities in exploration and mining in both regions, and on raw materials supply/demand, including critical raw materials;

E. Stakeholder Discussion

Stakeholder representatives joined part of the meeting to report on the main outcome of the EU-Canada Raw Materials Stakeholders Forum, which took place on the 15 November 2018Footnote 1. Discussions focused on increasing investments; licence to operate and responsible sourcing; permitting procedures and innovationFootnote 2.

F. Discussion of Public Confidence

Governments and stakeholders recognised that building and maintaining public confidence in exploration and mining is critical for the sustainable development of minerals and metals. Governments and stakeholders agreed on the importance of working together in this area, alongside NGOs and academia, and to exploring possible cooperative actions.

G. Closing Remarks

NRCAN and the European Commission expressed satisfaction with the discussions and outcomes from the first meeting. It was agreed that the second meeting will take place in Toronto on 6 March 2019.

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