Canadian Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Ottawa (VNA) – Canadian Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion on July 25 announced seven new security and safety initiatives for Southeast Asia, worth more than 17 million CAD, or 13 million USD.
He made the announcement at the ASEAN-Canada Post-Ministerial Conference in Vientiane, Laos within the framework of the 49th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-49) and related meetings.
The seven projects will support initiatives across the ASEAN region to enhance counter-terrorism measures; to prevent, deter and combat human trafficking; to strengthen biological and nuclear security; and to improve resilience in the face of humanitarian disasters.
Minister Dion said the projects aim to help ASEAN member states enhance their ability to combat terrorism, to reduce the devastating impacts of human trafficking and the threats posed by nuclear proliferation and man-made or naturally occurring biological pathogens.
The projects represent a clear commitment by Canada to Southeast Asia, and are tangible examples of the strategic importance of the long-standing and newly expanding relationship between Canada and ASEAN member states, he added.-VNA
