NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY TO VISIT THAILAND, HONG KONG AND INDONESIA
July 9, 1996 No. 125
AXWORTHY TO VISIT THAILAND, HONG KONG AND INDONESIA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will travel to Thailand and Hong Kong
before going on to Indonesia where he will lead the Canadian delegation at
meetings with the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN). The visit, which
takes place from July 18 to July 25, will be his first to the region since
becoming Minister.
"Southeast Asia is increasingly important to Canada both as a trading partner and
as a partner in a whole range of regional security issues," said Mr. Axworthy.
"We want to explore a number of opportunities for co-operation, building on the
strong foundation established by Prime Minister Chrétien during the Team Canada
visit in January 1996."
In Thailand, Mr. Axworthy will hold preparatory meetings with the Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Amnuay Viravan, leading up to the
Team Canada mission to Thailand scheduled for early 1997.
Mr. Axworthy will travel to Hong Kong on July 21 where he will meet with Governor
Christopher Patten prior to holding discussions with members of the Legislative
Council and the Preparatory Committee. During his stay, he will also hold
individual meetings with representatives of non-governmental organizations and
with members of the Canadian business community on matters relating to the
transition of Hong Kong.
"With 100 000 Canadians in Hong Kong, Canada has a keen interest in the progress
toward the 1997 transition," said Mr. Axworthy.
Following his visit to Hong Kong, Mr. Axworthy will travel to Indonesia on July 22
for the third annual ASEAN Regional Forum and the subsequent Post-Ministerial
Conference. Foreign Ministers of the seven ASEAN countries (Thailand, Malaysia,
Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines and Viet Nam) will meet with each of
their nine dialogue partners (Canada, Australia, Korea, Japan, New Zealand, the
United States, the European Union, India and China) to discuss international
political, security and economic issues. Canada has been an ASEAN dialogue
partner since 1977.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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