NEWS RELEASES

July 28, 2000 ( 12:55 p.m. EDT) No. 188

AXWORTHY HOLDS BILATERAL MEETING

WITH INDONESIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy expressed satisfaction at the results of a bilateral meeting he held today with Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab. The exchange took place in Bangkok, Thailand where both Ministers are attending annual meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

In their first bilateral encounter, Mr. Axworthy and Mr. Shibab agreed to enhance relations between both countries by relaunching the Bilateral Consultative Forum, established in 1997, and to work together on a Canada-Indonesia Human Rights Colloquium to be held in Indonesia, in early 2001. The Ministers also discussed a wide range of issues including political and economic reforms being instituted by President Wahid's government, co-operation on human rights and the situation in West Timor.

"Canada welcomes the political and economic reforms being instituted by the Indonesian government," said Mr. Axworthy. "Both countries are now seeking to enhance relations by re-establishing an official framework for regular dialogue. I also

look forward to substantive dialogue on human rights at the next Canada-Indonesia Human Rights Colloquium, which Indonesia has agreed to host."

Canada and Indonesia signed a Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Bilateral Consultative Forum on July 30, 1997. The Declaration, designed to broaden relations and enhance mutual confidence and understanding, provided a framework under which both governments could discuss bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest. Political upheaval in Indonesia in 1998 and 1999 precluded further meetings under this Declaration.

Under the Bilateral Consultative Forum, Canada and Indonesia co-hosted a bilateral human rights colloquium in Jakarta, October 29 to 30, 1997. The first follow-up to this meeting will take place in early 2001 in Indonesia.

Canada regularly raises the issue of human rights with Indonesian officials. In addition, The Canadian Human Rights Commission and its Indonesian counterpart, KOMNAS HAM have co-operated since an agreement was signed in 1995.

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