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<title>GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECOND ANNUAL NATIONAL FORUM ON CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">June 21, 1996 No. 118</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO RECOMMENDATIONS </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">OF THE SECOND ANNUAL NATIONAL FORUM </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">ON CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, Minister for International Trade Art
Eggleton, and Minister for International Co-operation and Minister Responsible for
la Francophonie Pierre S. Pettigrew today tabled before Parliament the
Government's reply to the report of the Second Annual National Forum on Canada's
International Relations. Held in Toronto in September 1995, the Forum's theme was
"Canada and International Institutions."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In expressing its agreement with the main recommendations of the report, the
Government affirms that international institutions must become more coherent, more
efficient, more responsible and more transparent. The Government will continue to
regard reform of the international financial institutions and of the United
Nations as a priority. It will also place special emphasis on regional
organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the
Organization of American States (OAS), while reaffirming the importance of the
Francophonie and the Commonwealth.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">As for the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Government will place priority on
applying the terms and conditions of the WTO, including the dispute settlement
mechanism. The purpose is to establish a multilateral trade regime based on
mutually agreed upon market access conditions and on trade rules that apply
equitably to all the member countries.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In addition, as recommended by the Forum, the Government intends to make civilian
peacekeeping a priority of its foreign policy. With this in mind, it intends to
have non-governmental organizations play a larger part in developing strategies
for conflict prevention and peacekeeping.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The annual Forum is part of the Government's commitment to seek greater public
participation in formulating foreign policy.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Catherine Lappe</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Director of Communications</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">To obtain a printed copy of the Government's reply or to access it by electronic
means:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">1. Call Centre Hotline/Walk-in Centre</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">1-800-267-8376, or (613) 944-4000 in the Ottawa-Hull region.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">2. FaxLink Domestic and International</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Users in Canada must dial (613) 944-4500 from a fax machine and interact with the
system using the Touch-Tone keypad on their telephone. From outside Canada, dial
(613) 944-6500. The only costs are the applicable long-distance charges.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">3. InfoCentre Bulletin Board (IBB)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">To access the system, you need a computer, modem, telephone line and basic
communications software. Dial (613) 944-1581 or 1-800-628-1581 (toll-free in
Canada) to access the site and register on-line.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">4. Internet Web Site</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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