Modification: wording change in last paragraph
Modification - September 24, 2012 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today issued the following joint statement:
“We affirm the strong and vibrant dialogue relations between ASEAN and Canada during this, the 35th anniversary year since their establishment. During this period, our relationship has grown significantly and now encompasses vast political, economic, social, and cultural cooperation between ASEAN and Canada.
“We are pleased to take note of recent steps which have served to re-energize our relationship, such as Canada’s appointment of its first ambassador to ASEAN in 2009, Canada’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia in 2010, and the adoption of a Joint Declaration on Trade and Investment in 2011. Increased high-level visits from Canada to the ASEAN region, such as by the governor general, the prime minister, and several visits each by the foreign affairs and international trade ministers, have served to deepen our connections and interaction. We also note progress on the implementation of the 2010-2015 ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action and the recent adoption of the Work Plan to Implement the ASEAN-Canada Joint Declaration on Trade and Investment. We are confident that new initiatives such as Canada’s recently announced $10 million funding commitment for ASEAN-Canada cooperative activities over the next three years, and the establishment of the Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC), will further promote the growth of dialogue cooperation between ASEAN and Canada.
“We look forward to the continued deepening of our relationship and welcome Canada’s effective engagement and presence within ASEAN, and ASEAN-based institutions, in the coming years.”
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