Canada strengthens ties with ASEAN; announces CAN$ 14-M new funding for regional security and connectivity

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NAYPYITAW — Canada announced it is expanding its diplomatic footprint in Southeast Asia as it establishes resident diplomatic missions in Cambodia and Laos, bringing Canadian presence to all 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“Canada’s relationship with ASEAN is one of our key foreign policy priorities,” said Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird during the ASEAN-Canada Post-Ministerial Conference held at the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM).

“With the establishment of these new diplomatic resources, Canada is well placed to build upon this important relationship in the long term,” he added.

Minister Baird earlier announced a new, dedicated Canadian ambassador to ASEAN.

“The relationship has grown to become a comprehensive partnership, which through political, security, economic and socio-cultural cooperation is fostering job creation for Canadians as well as for our Southeast Asian partners,” he said.

“Canada’s commitment to ASEAN and the Southeast Asian region is clear,” said Baird. “We look forward to this relationship reaching its full potential, including at the Leaders’ level in the ASEAN-centred East Asia Summit.”

Baird also announced Canada’s additional CAN$ 14 million in funding toward projects aimed at helping address security issues of shared concern in Southeast Asia and to enhance the ASEAN connectivity agenda.

“We continue to expand our regional engagement in areas that support ASEAN’s community-building objectives and that contribute to fostering peace, security and prosperity,” said Baird. “Economies flourish and people prosper in regions that are secure, stable, and where the rule of law is respected, both within and between states.

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The funding will be used for projects to mitigate biological and nuclear threats (CAN$ 2.6 million); disrupt illicit flows while protecting legitimate trade (CAN$ 4.4 million); combat human smuggling activities (CAN$ 1.

6 million); improve regional cyber-security tools; bolster border management capacities (CAN$ 2 million); and work with ASEAN partners to address the “foreign fighter” phenomenon and radicalization (CAN$ 2.3 million).