I am delighted to be taking part in this series of ASEAN meetings, both the ARF and the PMC. in this meeting we review the state of the relationship between Canada and ASEAN. Let's keep the historical part short and look to the future.

There are four major areas of focus :

1) political cooperation
2) trade and investment
3) development assistance
4) the year ahead

Political Cooperation :

Extremely healthy. There have been two team Canada visits to Asia led by the Prime Minister, with almost all provincial premiers and large business delegations at the CEO level, Team Canada visits have included Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia, and next January, the Philippines and Thailand. The political interaction induced by these visits has brought a permanent change to the way Canadians see the countries of ASEAN. Our political leaders, at the highest level, are in regular contact. Yesterday's session of the ARF addressed the situation in Myanmar, and I think we have made some steps in the process of real constructive engagement. Several ASEAN Foreign Ministers will be visiting Ottawa en route to UNGA, I welcome this opportunity for advance consultation.

Trade and Investment:

The Team Canada visits generated considerable business. ASEAN is now Canada's 6th largest export market. We work together in APEC, share many approaches to the Singapore WTO (of course there are some differences). We shall pursue the possibility of an AFTA-NAFTA bridge. Our firms should look to joint participation in commercial consortia in third countries.

Development Assistance:

The ASEAN - Canada relationship was originally that of recipients and a donor. With the rapid growth in your economies, that is changing to a trade and economic partnership. Bilateral aid programs and regional programs increasingly have a primary focus on the weaker economies of ASEAN. We should pursue more joint. Programs in third countries.

The Year Ahead:

(a) 1997 will see the Hong Kong transition. We all have a stake in Its success. We support all the efforts of our Chinese partners to make the transition smooth and peaceful while preserving the basic integrity of Hong Kong. There are more than 100,000 Canadians of Hong Kong origin resident there, facing the South China Sea which you all share.

(b) Canada will be hosting the APEC Summit In November, 1997 In Vancouver. The Philippines are working with us already "to pass the torch". We will do the same for the Malaysians.

(c) We will designate 1997 as the Year of Asia in Canada. There will be a broad base of activities from coast to coast highlighting the important commercial, trade, human, educational and political relationships we are developing. Young people will have a special focus. We plan to Invite young people from all Asian countries to come to Canada to talk about mutual concerns. It Is also the 20th Anniversary of the Canadian-ASEAN dialogue. I invite you collectively and individually to participate and help us raise the awareness amongst Canadians of the many opportunities you have to offer.

Thank you.