NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY TO MEET WITH THAI FOREIGN MINISTER
September 22, 1997 No. 150
AXWORTHY TO MEET WITH THAI FOREIGN MINISTER
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced that he will meet today in
Ottawa with Parcuab Chaiyasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of
Thailand.
Mr. Chaiyasan arrived in Vancouver on September 17, commencing a week-long agenda
of trade promotion and cultural events to mark Canada's Year of Asia Pacific
(CYAP). In recognition of CYAP, the Thai government has provided funding for the
National Dance Troupe of Thailand to perform at major venues across the country.
"I look forward to meeting with Minister Chaiyasan to discuss a broad range of
political, economic and security issues related to Canada's bilateral relationship
with Thailand," said Mr. Axworthy. "I also wish to commend the Government of
Thailand for its energetic participation in Canada's Year of Asia Pacific.
Promoting increased business, cultural and trade ties between Canada, Thailand and
other Asian nations is what this year is all about."
During their bilateral meeting, Mr. Axworthy and Mr. Chaiyasan will discuss such
issues as economic restructuring in Thailand, the situations in Cambodia and
Burma, and the proposed ban on anti-personnel mines.
While in Vancouver on September 18, Mr. Chaiyasan delivered an address at
Spotlight on Thailand, a three-day trade and investment seminar. On September 19,
Mr. Chaiyasan delivered a speech on trade and investment opportunities in Thailand
to the Petroleum Club in Calgary. In Ottawa, the Thai Foreign Minister will meet
with Foreign Affairs Minister Axworthy, visit Parliament, and present a Tuk-Tuk (a
three-wheel motorized vehicle) to the children's museum collection of the Canadian
Museum of Civilization. This event will feature a performance by the National
Dance Troupe of Thailand. Mr. Chaiyasan is then expected to travel to Toronto on
September 23 to meet with members of the Ontario Club and the Thailand Business
Association of Canada.
In 1996, bilateral trade between Canada and Thailand was $1.6 billion. At the
start of Canada's Year of Asia Pacific, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien led a Team
Canada trade mission to the Philippines, Korea and Thailand, which resulted in
$2.1 billion in new business deals.
The Government of Canada has designated 1997 as Canada's Year of Asia Pacific to
commemorate its role as this year's Chair of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Forum.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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