October 16, 2001
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that he will attend the Ninth
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' meeting in Shanghai,
China, October 20-21, 2001.
"More than ever before, multilateral fora such as APEC are essential to
maintain a good dialogue with our partners," said the Prime Minister.
"World peace and security rely on a broad participation in the global
economy through open markets and international cooperation. Canada shares with
the other APEC members this commitment to foster economic growth through
international trade and investment, notably in developing economies."
In Shanghai, APEC leaders will discuss the consequences of the tragic events
that took place in the United States on September 11, as well as how best to
respond to them. Leaders are expected to issue a statement condemning the
attacks and calling for greater collaboration in the fight against terrorism,
including through the work of APEC in areas such as customs.
In addition, APEC leaders will discuss the global and regional economic
outlook. The Prime Minister will urge his colleagues to support a strong APEC
statement in favour of helping to re-energize the global economy through a new
and ambitious round of multilateral trade liberalization. Leaders will give
direction to APEC’s wide-ranging activities in support of trade and investment
liberalization and facilitation, including a major APEC initiative, in which
Canada is playing a leading role, aimed at improving the capacity of developing
economies to participate fully in the multilateral trading system.
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Secretary of State for Asia Pacific,
Dr. Rey Pagtakhan. International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew and
Dr. Pagtakhan will precede the Prime Minister in Shanghai, where they will
attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting, October 17-18, 2001.
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PMO Press Office (613) 957-5555
