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Canada-U.S. Ozone Negotiations Joint U.S.-Canada Statement Ottawa, Canada, February 16, 2000 Released by the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State

The two delegations met today for the first negotiating session on an ozone annex to the 1991 Canada - U.S. Air Quality Agreement.

The discussions were cooperative and productive.

Progress was made on a number of procedural and organizational issues central to the negotiations.

With regard to the ozone annex, both sides agreed:

• Timing: The objective is to resolve all issues and to reach a signed agreement this year;

• Scope: The annex will target emission source regions in each country which are contributing to transboundary air problems;

• Pollutants: The annex will focus on the pollutants nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC);

• Elements: The annex will set emission targets and implementation schedules; it will also contain provisions for reporting on relevant emissions and air quality to ensure continued progress towards meeting the goals of protecting human health and the environment.

We have set a work plan between now and the next negotiating session to lay the groundwork for more detailed discussions and progress on all of the above issues.

The next session will take place in Washington on June 14-15, 2000.

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