Prime Minister to attend APEC Leaders' meeting, visit China and Japan, and attend OSCE meeting

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced today that he will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting in the Philippines on November 23 to 25, visit China on November 26, visit Japan from November 27 to 30 and attend the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meeting in Portugal from December 2 to 3. He will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lloyd Axworthy, Minister for International Trade Art Eggleton and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan.

"Like the Team Canada missions, these visits underscore the Government's commitment to advancing Canadian interests in Asia Pacific. APEC is central to creating jobs and growth in Canada and to building a Pacific community," said the Prime Minister.

"Canada looks forward to unique opportunities in 1997 when we take over the APEC chair and we celebrate Canada's Year of Asia Pacific. The visits to China and Japan, two important partners for Canada, will help strengthen our bilateral and commercial cooperation in 1997 and beyond."

At Manila this year, APEC members will present their individual action plans (IAPs) which provide details on each member's current trade and investment regimes as well as specific measures for further liberalization. These plans will be continually revised as APEC moves toward free and open trade by 2010 for developed economies and 2020 for developing economies. As incoming chair, Canada will be responsible for overseeing implementation which begins on January 1, 1997.

APEC ministers and leaders will also discuss ways of ensuring a successful first Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, being held in Singapore in December, and ways of improving doing business. They will also consider ways of enhancing economic and technical cooperation to underpin trade and investment liberalization and further sustainable and equitable growth and development.

For the first time, APEC leaders will meet members of the APEC Business Advisory Council, which was established in Osaka last year. The Prime Minister will deliver a keynote address on November 23 to the Asia-Pacific Business Forum, comprising more than 400 senior business executives.

In China, the Prime Minister, Mr. Eggleton and Mr. Chan will attend the Canada China Business Council (CCBC)'s 16th annual general meeting and policy conference in Shanghai on November 26. The CCBC works closely with the Government of Canada to expand trade and investment with China. The Prime Minister and Minister Eggleton will deliver keynote addresses to the conference, which will include senior Chinese officials and business representatives involved in joint ventures with Canadian companies.

While in Japan, the Prime Minister and ministers will meet with their counterparts and senior Japanese business representatives. They will discuss expanding cooperation in areas such as sustainable development, the environment, peace and security and international trade and investment. As a Quadrilateral Trade partner and previous chair of APEC, Japan is an important partner in ensuring a successful first Ministerial Conference of the WTO in December and as Canada prepares to chair APEC in 1997.

Following his trip to Asia, the Prime Minister will travel to Lisbon, Portugal, to attend the Heads of State Summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), on December 2 to 3. Mr. Chrétien will participate in discussions on a wide range of matters, including reviewing the OSCE's role and mandate, NATO enlargement and reform, and implementing the Dayton Peace Accord.

PMO Press Office (613) 957-5555