CANADIAN FOREIGN
MINISTER LAWRENCE CANNON: REMARKS AT ASEAN-CANADA MINISTERIAL MEETING:
FULL-TEXT (MaximsNewsNetwork)
UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews
Network / -
26 July 2010 - Hanoi, Vietnam - The
following are the opening remarks by the Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence
Cannon at the ASEAN-Canada Ministerial Meeting last week in Hanoi, Full-Text
(Check Against Delivery):
It is
my great pleasure to participate in this post-ministerial-conference session.
These gatherings are important to Canada.
Allow
me to thank our host and ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] chair,
Vietnam, for arranging this meeting and for the warm hospitality. I wish to
also extend my appreciation to our country coordinator, Thailand, for its work
in coordinating the various meetings with Canada over the past several months.
Strengthening
bilateral ties
The
ASEAN economy boasts impressive numbers.
With a
population exceeding 590 million, a combined gross domestic product of more
than $1.5 trillion in 2009, and the relatively rapid emergence of ASEAN
economies from the recent global economic slowdown, ASEAN is considered one of
the world’s fastest-growing and most dynamic regions.
I’m
pleased that Canada-ASEAN bilateral trade and investment has grown over the
past few years and that it has fared relatively well despite the global
economic downturn. Bilateral merchandise trade has increased by 19 percent
between 2005 and 2009.
ASEAN
is an important commercial partner for Canada, collectively representing one
of Canada’s largest bilateral trading partners in terms of merchandise
trade. Furthermore, ASEAN benefits from a healthy merchandise trade surplus
with Canada, exporting twice as much to Canada as it imports.
We
believe that existing commercial links between ASEAN and Canada could be
strengthened through the conclusion of the ongoing trade and investment
framework arrangement negotiations. With some political will on both sides,
agreement is within reach.
But
our relationship is about much more than numbers.
Canada
is proud to be one of ASEAN’s oldest dialogue partners, dating back to 1977.
Our relationship is founded on people-to-people and institutional links, and
based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to fundamental freedoms and
democratic governance.
We
value our long-standing relationship with ASEAN as one that has matured over
the past three decades.
But
rather than recount the breadth of our historical ties, I would prefer to
focus today on the accomplishments achieved since last year’s
post-ministerial conference, accomplishments made possible through our
commitment to furthering relations.
I’m
delighted we have before us today a solid plan of action that will guide our
cooperative activities over the next five years. This plan will build upon
previous work plans and contribute to ASEAN’s ambitious community-building
efforts.
Canada
will be acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Canadian accession to the treaty is a clear demonstration of our strong
commitment to ASEAN and our desire to find viable ways to reinforce our
special bond.
This
is an important year for Canada, an international year. As you all know, Prime
Minister [Stephen] Harper hosted the G-8 and G-20 summits last month. These
two meetings produced concrete outcomes, and we are pleased that Vietnam, as
ASEAN chair, and ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan participated in the
G-20 Summit in Toronto.
The
Canadian government is creating new ASEAN-dedicated positions across our
diplomatic missions in the ASEAN region. We are confident that these new
resources, referred to as Canada’s “ASEAN Network,” will help identify
new opportunities to strengthen our ties in the region.
ASEAN
community-building efforts
ASEAN
has set for itself an ambitious road map toward the establishment of an
“ASEAN Community” by 2015. Since the adoption of the ASEAN Charter in
December 2008, commendable progress has been achieved.
We
have followed with interest the developments that led to the establishment of
the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights as well as the ASEAN
Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and
Children.
Canada
assisted ASEAN in drafting the Terms of Reference for the Intergovernmental
Commission on Human Rights, and we look forward to working with ASEAN to
support the Commission through the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action.
Canada
closely monitors human rights in Southeast Asia and around the world. The
promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms are pillars
of Canadian society, as are democracy and the rule of law. Canada
congratulates ASEAN on the establishment of these two human rights bodies, and
we continue to urge ASEAN members to protect human rights fully.
Canada
views the promotion and protection of human rights in Southeast Asia as a key
requirement for ASEAN members to realize their full political, economic and
human potential.
In
this regard, Canada has grave concerns regarding Burma’s disregard for human
rights and repression of the country’s democratic forces. New electoral laws
did little to change this. As the 2010 election approaches, Canada urges the
government of Burma to respect and abide by international standards and human
rights principles by conducting a process that is free, fair, inclusive and
transparent.
Credible
elections must be preceded by the unconditional release of all political
prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and genuine dialogue between the
government, members of the democratic opposition and ethnic groups.
Conclusion
Canada
is a country of the Pacific; our expanding trade, investment and political
engagement and our well-established people-to-people links reflect this
reality.
We are
actively engaged in the Asia-Pacific region as an active member of the ASEAN
Regional Forum and APEC and are keenly interested in new developments in
Asia-Pacific initiatives. The ASEAN-Canada post-ministerial conference process
will continue to be an important part of this engagement.
We
consider our relationship with ASEAN integral to sustaining cooperation on
issues that span the Pacific, and we look forward to strengthening our
important friendship.
I am
looking forward to our discussions today.
Thank
you."
Twitter/MaximsNews:
