Canada to seek membership of envisioned E. Asia community+

TOKYO, Nov. 10 Kyodo -
Canada wants to participate in an East Asian multilateral economic cooperation
body, as proposed by Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, reflecting the
region's importance to its prosperity, Canada's trade minister said Tuesday.

On Hatoyama's call for an East Asia community, Canadian International Trade
Minister Stockwell Day said, ''The region is important to Canada and Canadian
interests and Canada supports efforts to foster enhanced relations among the
countries of Asia.''
''Canada seeks to be a participant and partner in the ongoing evolution of the
region's institutional structure,'' Day, who serves as minister for the
Asia-Pacific gateway, said in a written interview with Kyodo News ahead of an
annual ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum on
Wednesday and Thursday in Singapore.
Day said Canada is looking forward to ''learning more'' about Hatoyama's
proposal to create the envisioned East Asian community.
The minister also said, ''Canada has a particular interest in APEC, as a
grouping that includes participation from our side of the Pacific.''
As for a bilateral free trade agreement between Japan and Canada, the trade
minister said that while Canada is ''of the view that the best way to foster
sustainable global prosperity is through multilateral trade liberalization
under World Trade Organization,'' an FTA between the two nations ''would
provide an excellent opportunity with the potential to increase prosperity in
both our countries.''
''We hope Canada will be given serious consideration as the Hatoyama government
further develops its trade policies,'' he said.
Day added that in concluding any FTA with Japan, Canada wants to include areas
such as trade in goods and services, financial services, temporary entry of
business people, telecommunications, intellectual property and government
procurement among other issues.
Commenting on Hatoyama's policy to directly compensate Japanese farmers, the
Canadian minister said, ''Canada would hope the proposed programs would not
distort either farm production decisions or international trade.''
While noting Canada and Japan have long been partners in the fight against
terrorism, Day valued Japan's refueling mission, saying, ''We are grateful for
Japan's assistance during Indian Ocean deployments.''
''Japan's help in resupply operations has helped foster greater regional
security, particularly in Afghanistan,'' said Day, who is also in charge of
issues concerning Afghanistan.
Day, however, did not comment on Tokyo's decision not to extend the refueling
mission by the Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels in support of the U.S.-led
antiterrorism operations in and around Afghanistan. The mission will end Jan.
15 as the Democratic Party of Japan-led government has no plans to extend it.
==Kyodo
2009-11-11 00:42:4