Is the U.S. intending to submit a joint application with Canada and/or Mexico?
We are collaborating with Environment Canada with the intent to submit a joint U.S./Canada ECA application. President Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Harper agreed on this approach at the March 2006 Security and Prosperity Partnership meeting. While our mutual goals could be met with individual applications, a joint application will be received more favorably at the IMO. We have also had discussions with the Mexico National Institute of Ecology (INE) regarding inclusion of Mexico in the joint application. While the INE has expressed interest, there is concern that it will not be possible to perform the necessary inventory and air quality analyses in time for a submittal to MEPC 59. In addition, it is not clear if Mexico will ratify Annex VI in the near term. We expect to work with Mexico separately, if necessary to extend the ECA in the future.
