July 17, 1998 No. 173

AXWORTHY TO VISIT SOUTH KOREA, THE PHILIPPINES, AND HONG KONG

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will visit the Republic of Korea from July 23 to 26 to promote bilateral relations, en route to two meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): the ASEAN Regional Forum Meeting (ARF) and the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) in Manila from July 27 to 29. Mr. Axworthy will also make a brief visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) from July 29 to 30.

While in South Korea from July 23 to 26, Mr. Axworthy will visit the De-Militarized Zone marking the boundary with North Korea to review security concerns on the Korean Peninsula, and see the landmines situation firsthand. He will also meet with members of the new South Korean government, including President Kim Dae-jung, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Park Chung-soo, and Finance and Economy Minister Lee Kyu-sung. In addition to reviewing the political and security situation on the Peninsula, Mr. Axworthy will discuss economic reforms, international human rights, and the Ottawa Convention banning landmines. His visit to the Republic of Korea is the first visit of a Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister since 1994.

"This visit to South Korea provides a timely opportunity for Canada to further develop multifaceted relationships with the new Korean government," said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada welcomes the recent initiatives taken by President Kim's administration both

to enact domestic economic and social reforms in response to the recent Asian financial crisis, and to enhance dialogue with North Korea."

In Manila from July 27 to 29, Minister Axworthy will attend the annual ARF and PMC meetings where he will meet and discuss international and regional political, economic and security issues with 21 Foreign Ministers of the Asia-Pacific region.

"The ASEAN Regional Forum provides the informal structure necessary to build confidence and lead Asia on the path to peace and stability," said Mr. Axworthy. "Recent events such as India and Pakistan's repeated nuclear tests have unacceptable consequences for the region as a whole. Canada, which plays a significant role in Asia-Pacific security, must continue pushing the nuclear non-proliferation agenda in forums such as the ARF."

The ARF, established in 1993 as an informal multilateral dialogue on regional security in Asia-Pacific, will be followed by the Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC). While the ARF focusses solely on regional security issues, the PMC provides an opportunity for the 10 Dialogue Partners of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the nine ASEAN members to discuss and exchange views on broader international and regional political and economic issues. Canada has been a dialogue partner of ASEAN since 1977, and Canadian Foreign Affairs Ministers have participated in every ARF Ministerial meeting since the first one in 1994.

While in Hong Kong on July 30, Minister Axworthy will take part in bilateral meetings with Tung Chee-hwa, Chief Executive Officer, and Martin Lee, Leader of the Democratic Party.

"Following this first anniversary of Chinese sovereignty, I will meet with Hong Kong's leaders to support and strengthen the close relationship that Canadians and the people of Hong Kong have always enjoyed," said Mr. Axworthy. "The continuation of the Special Administrative Region's autonomy, openness and democratic system is essential to the Region's future success and prosperity."

This is the first visit of the Foreign Affairs Minister to Hong Kong since his attendance at the July 1, 1997, handover ceremonies.

- 30 -

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