Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Canada has amended several agreements with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to formally recognize Vietnam’s membership in the regional organization. He made the announcement here at an ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference. Updating these agreements is part of the process to normalize Canadian relations with Vietnam and to recognize its 1995 entry in ASEAN.

“As an ASEAN dialogue partner, Canada hopes that Vietnam’s inclusion in existing agreements will help improve stability in the region and strengthen our relationship with this country, “ Mr. Axworthy said.

An agreement between Canada and ASEAN on economic cooperation was amended as well as two agreements that will allow Vietnam to participate in projects funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

"These development initiatives will be significant in assisting Vietnam’s integration in the region and into the global economy," said Pierre S. Pettigrew, Minister for International Cooperation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie.

The ASEAN-Canada Cooperative Program on Marine Science seeks to establish a regional network of marine research facilities to monitor pollution levels in coastal waters throughout the region in order to reduce the degradation of the marine eco- system.

Vietnam will gain access to marine science expertise from other ASEAN members. as well as Canada, to deal with common regional problems such as the spread of toxic algae blooms (Red Tide), which are absorbed by shellfish, and are lethal to those eating them.

The Canada-ASEAN Regional Training Program fosters cooperation among ASEAN members and strengthens links between Canadian and ASEAN countries. It will also work with Vietnam to upgrade the skills of its middle and senior-level public officials in areas such as telecommunications, banking and finance, customs and tax administration and filtration technology.

Funding for these initiatives was provided for in the March 1996 federal budget and is therefore built into CIDA's existing fiscal framework.