June 21, 2001
As a global forum for the discussion and the advancement of world peace and prosperity, the United Nations offers the European Union and Canada a venue to cooperate together on the following four important initiatives:
THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
The European Union and Canada will work together to promote the rapid and widespread ratification of or accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, and to cooperate for the effective implementation of the Statute. In light of the bloodshed and horror of the wars of the last century, which have profoundly affected both Canada and the members of the European Union, the creation of the Court will continue to be a priority in our foreign relations.
The EU and Canada share the conviction that the creation of the International Criminal Court will be a development of historic importance. The Court will be a crucial instrument in international efforts to end impunity for the most serious international crimes and, as such, will strengthen the rule of law and contribute to peace and security. We reaffirm the duty and responsibility of all members of the international community to end impunity for these crimes and to cooperate in efforts to do so.
The EU and Canada believe that cooperation with the Court by all countries, both parties and non-parties, will be a key element in its success. The legal principles contained in the Rome Statute, and in particular the comprehensive protections for the rights of the accused, the safeguards against frivolous prosecutions and the rigorous complementarity regime, ensure that the Court will pose no threat to the sovereignty of States or the rights of individuals who may appear before it. In support of their continued cooperation, the EU and Canada experts will explore concrete efforts that can be made to encourage ratification and implementation, such as joint workshops and seminars in various countries and regions of the world, and that they will cooperate to support the early effective establishment of the Court.
