Foreign Affairs Minister to highlight security and trade ties in visit to Japan and South Korea
News release
March 21, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Canada is unwavering in its support for its friends and partners, Japan and South Korea.
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will visit Tokyo, Japan, from March 27 to 28, 2018, and Seoul, South Korea, on March 29, 2018.
The Minister announced her visit while attending a reception in Ottawa to mark the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan.
While in Tokyo, the Minister will meet with Taro Kono, Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Hiroshige Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, to discuss issues such as Canada’s G7 agenda; international security, including North Korea; economic cooperation; and the rules-based international trading system.
During her visit to Seoul, the Minister will meet with Kang Kyung-wha, her South Korean counterpart, and Kim Hyun-chong, Minister for Trade. The ministers will discuss ways to strengthen Canada and South Korea’s commercial and security ties, as well as Canada’s support for diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.
Quotes
“Canada and Japan have built a strong bilateral relationship based on common interests and values, democracy, trade and a shared desire to bring greater peace and prosperity to the world. Japan is a friend and a partner, and I look forward to seeing my counterpart, Minister Kono, in Tokyo. Our governments look forward to deepening the relationship even further in the years to come.
“Canada and South Korea are working hand in hand to achieve a peaceful and secure Korean Peninsula. Canadians stand with our South Korean friends. I look forward to discussing issues of shared concern and the importance of a rules-based multilateral trading system with ministers Kang and Kim in Seoul next week.”
- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
-
Canada and Japan share a long friendship that took root in 1928, with the opening of Japan’s diplomatic mission in Ottawa, and continued a year later, when Canada opened its own mission in Tokyo.
-
Japan is Canada’s fourth-largest trading partner, with Canadian merchandise exports to Japan totalling almost $12 billion last year and imports from Japan $17.5 billion.
-
Japan is also Canada’s largest source of foreign direct investment from Asia, which was valued at $29.1 billion at the end of 2016.
-
Canada and Japan are also part of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trading block that represents 495 million people with a combined GDP of $13.5 trillion.
-
Canada and South Korea enjoy close and friendly relations, which deepened with Canada’s involvement in the Korean War and political and economic cooperation since.
-
Canada and South Korea enjoy strong commercial relations underpinned by the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement, Canada’s first bilateral free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific region.
-
Canada, Japan and South Korea uphold many of the same values, including democracy, freedom and a respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Associated links
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
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaFP
Like us on Facebook: Canada’s foreign policy - Global Affairs Canada
Report a problem or mistake on this page
- Date modified: