CMS NR10.015 - October 26, 2010
OTTAWA, ON – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence today announced that the Canadian Navy has been granted full membership into the Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS).
During the 12th Annual meeting of the WPNS, the member nations amended the organization's charter which then allowed new countries to join as either observer status or to upgrade to full membership.
"The Canadian Navy has a proud tradition of working in a multinational setting towards global security and stability" said Minister MacKay. "The Western Pacific Naval Symposium values our sailors' commitment to excellence and I feel this is an important recognition of Canada's capabilities during this, the Canadian Navy's centennial year."
Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden, Chief of the Maritime Staff said, "We are honoured to have the continued opportunity to work with our fellow navies to advance Canada's needs in the Asia-Pacific region and to work towards greater cooperation and understanding between our nations."
The WPNS is a Navy-to-Navy structure which aims to increase cooperation as well as to build trust and confidence between navies by providing a framework to enable the discussion of maritime issues of mutual interest, the exchange of information, the practice and demonstration of capabilities and the exchange of personnel. The WPNS has 20 full member countries and 4 countries possessing observer status.
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Note to the Editor: For more information please contact Navy Public Affairs at (613) 945-1287.
