FAIT Committee Report

RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendation 1

In view of the importance to Canadian Foreign Policy of the South Caucasus and Central Asia, the Committee recommends that the Government of Canada develop, prepare, and publish a policy statement outlining a significant increase in Canadian engagement with the Countries of these regions. As noted above, such a policy must adopt a long-term perspective, and include:

an immediate significant increase in Canadian diplomatic and other personnel stationed in these regions, as well as an increase in Ottawa-based support;

a focus on educational support, including human rights education and increased Canadian scholarships for students from these regions;

a recognition of the importance of the rule of law, and specific initiatives to combat corruption;

a significant emphasis on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as a key means of advancing security and democratic development goals in these and other regions.

streamlined procedures for expedititing visas for students from these regions;

an increase in Canadian aid to these regions, as set out subsequently in this report;

a working visit to the regions by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, both to demonstrate increased Canadian interest in the regions and to contribute to the development of an enhanced Canadian policy.

Recommendation 2

While applicable beyond the South Caucasus and Central Asia, the Committee recommends that the Government of Canada invite a proposal from the Parliamentary Centre for the establishment of a program of training and research on the increasingly important area of "parliamentary diplomacy" and interparliamentary institutions, focussing particularly on their potential in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The Committee also recommends that the Government of Canada support the further development of the Country Indicators for Foreign Policy (CIFP) project at Carleton University.

Recommendation 3

The Committee recommends that, as a key element of a strengthened policy toward the South Caucasus, the Government of Canada place particular emphasis on strengthened support for the activities of the OSCE and on supporting the context for conflict resolution and increased foreign investment through democratic development and programs to combat corruption. In respect of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Government of Canada should exploit every opportunity in bilateral relations and multilateral institutions to assist in finding a solution to this conflict.

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada establish a Canadian embassy in Georgia which would have responsibility for relations with the three states of the South Caucasus. The Government of Canada should also stand ready to consider opening embassies in Azerbaijan and Armenia as progress is made in resolving the dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh and increasing regional cooperation.

Recommendation 4

Canada should reinforce its diplomatic representation in Central Asia through additional resources to the embassy in Almaty and the establishment of a mission presence in at least one other country; Uzbekistan being a likely first choice since it has over 40% of the region’s population. The Government should also ensure that DFAIT and CIDA headquarters have adequate resources in place designated to monitor regional developments and capable of managing an enhanced program of Canadian activities in the region.

Recommendation 5

Canada should concentrate future policy and program development in strengthening relations with Central Asia in the following priority areas:

regional stability and peacebuilding;

broader long-term economic relationships and sustainable development;

democratic governance reforms, human rights and support to civil society;

human resources, education, and culture.

Recommendation 6

Canada should support the firm application of political reform conditionality in bilateral and multilateral relations with Central Asian countries, notably in the case of Turkmenistan. Development of any further contacts with that country should await evidence of substantial improvement in the political situation.

Recommendation 7

Canada should continue to give strong support to the work of the Aga Khan Development Network, notably its projects in Tajikistan. The Government should watch developments in that country with a view to further possibilities for collaboration with non-governmental organizations such as the Aga Kkan Foundation.

Recommendation 8

Canada should reciprocate Kazakhstan’s desire to deepen bilateral relations while pursuing a policy agenda which firmly asserts Canadian interests and values in the following areas in particular:

Improvements in the overall investment climate which are predicated on legal and public administration reforms and adherence to high standards of transparency and corporate responsibility.

Investments in education and training programs in areas of Canadian strength.

Support for democratic institution-building, human rights, and peace-building activities.

Cooperation in nuclear non-proliferation initiatives.

In addition, the Committee believes that a visit to Canada by President Nazarbayev would provide a useful opportunity to advance Canadian interests and values. Any such visit, however, should be preceded by the Government of Kazakhstan taking concrete steps to resolve such high profile cases as those referred to above.

Recommendation 9

The Government should explore options for establishing a permanent diplomatic presence in Tashkent. At the same time, Canadian policy should maintain a cautious critical stance towards the current regime, focusing on opportunities to encourage democratic and human rights reforms, the development of a legal and financial structure conducive to private investment, and on activities, such as education and training programs, which are of long-term practical benefit.

Recommendation 10

Canada should continue to develop and diversify bilateral relations with Kyrgyzstan on a basis that strongly encourages reform processes and offers support for genuine democratization efforts. Consideration should also be given to expanding technical cooperation in areas, such as water resources management and conflict prevention, of demonstrated need and Canadian expertise.

Recommendation 11

The Government should work with the Canadian, Kyrgyz, and multilateral partners in the Kumtor mine project to ensure that all reasonable public concerns relating to its operation and environmental impact are addressed in an open and transparent manner. In respect of EDC’s involvement in particular, the circumstances of environmental assessment in this case could be referred to the Office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development for an advisory opinion as to whether any further action is warranted based on a review of all pertinent facts.

Recommendation 12

Canada should strongly support arms control and non-proliferation initiatives, including the establishment of a Central Asia Nuclear Free Zone. Canada should pursue broader security objectives, including environmental security, multilaterally through the OSCE in particular, and consider whether creating additional regional cooperation frameworks may be useful. As part of an overall human security approach, Canada should target its assistance to civil-society development which fosters ethnic and religious tolerance, conflict resolution and peace-building.

Recommendation 13

Canada’s multilateral and bilateral economic assistance policies towards Central Asia should clearly and firmly link levels of official support to demonstrable progress on economic and political reform. In addition, the Government should take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that Canadian firms active in the region adhere to high standards of socially and environmentally responsible behaviour. Canadian policy should also seek to diversify economic relations, expanding technical cooperation in areas where there is the most potential to build sustainable partnerships and to encourage local private-sector development.

Recommendation 14

Canada should increase its support for human rights monitoring and human rights education and training initiatives in Central Asia, working through partnerships with credible locally-based non-governmental organizations. Canada should use bilateral diplomacy and international forums wherever possible to raise concerns about gross violations and to pressure the region’s governments to respect their OSCE and UN human rights obligations. The Government, through CIDA, should provide democratization and good governance assistance, including for strengthening parliamentary institutions, based on an approach that is specific to the region and fully takes into account the lessons of donor experience, giving particular attention to ensuring that the local partnership is based on a genuine commitment to democratic reform.

Recommendation 15

Canada should increase its support to educational and training initiatives in Central Asia, including through more CIDA scholarships. The Government should facilitate visa requirements to that effect, and should encourage additional private-sector and NGO efforts which have an educational and local capacity-building component. Following up the Aga Khan Foundation’s suggestions for future cooperation, the Government should also explore participation in initiatives to promote cultural diversity and inter-cultural exchanges.