Canada and United States conclude Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula
News Release
January 16, 2018 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Global Affairs Canada
Canada is actively engaged in efforts to build a secure, prosperous and denuclearized Korean Peninsula.
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded the Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula, co-hosted with the Honourable Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State of the United States.
At the foreign ministers’ meeting, Minister Freeland reiterated Canada’s unequivocal commitment to diplomatic efforts that increase pressure on North Korea to abandon its current path and set the conditions for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. The Minister reaffirmed that Canada will continue to work with partners in the region and globally to ensure that sanctions imposed on North Korea are strictly enforced.
Minister Freeland also met several counterparts, including Taro Kono, Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Kang Kyung-wha, South Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss shared concerns about North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, as well as human rights violations against the North Korean people.
Minister Freeland announced a $3.25 million commitment aimed at strengthening the global sanctions regime and countering North Korea’s sanctions evasion and proliferation networks. The initiative will be implemented in partnership with the United States. Among other elements, this initiative will help build the capacity of partner countries to more effectively implement United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea.
Quotes
“The grave and growing threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs is a global challenge. Canada has taken a leadership role with the United States to pursue all available avenues to achieve our common objective of a secure and stable Korean Peninsula. Together with regional and international partners, we will continue to address the threat posed by the North Korean crisis. A diplomatic solution is both essential and possible and is the only viable option to ensure a positive future for the people of North Korea and the Asia Pacific region.”
- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick Facts
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The Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula, co-hosted by Canada and the United States, provided foreign ministers from across the globe with an opportunity to demonstrate solidarity in opposition to North Korea’s dangerous and illegal actions and to work together to strengthen diplomatic efforts toward a secure, prosperous and denuclearized Korean Peninsula.
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The UNSC has adopted 10 separate resolutions imposing sanctions in response to North Korea’s destabilizing actions, which have included six nuclear tests and dozens of ballistic missile tests.
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Established in 2002, Canada’s Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Threat Reduction Program (formerly the Global Partnership Program) works with partner countries and organizations to implement concrete measures aimed at preventing WMD proliferation and terrorism.
Related Products
- Backgrounder - Canada takes steps to increase security on the Korean Peninsula
- Address by Minister Freeland at the Opening Session of the Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula
- Co-chairs’ summary of the Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula
Associated Links
- Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula
- Canada and United States to co-host Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Security and Stability on Korean Peninsula
- Canadian sanctions related to North Korea
- Canada’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Threat Reduction Program
- Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1718 (2006)
- International Atomic Energy Agency and the DPRK
Contacts
Adam Austen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Adam.Austen@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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