Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SRI PERDANA, KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 18/01/96
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOUR OF
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JEAN CHRETIEN,
PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA
It is indeed an honour for me and my wife to welcome
you Mr. Prime Minister and Mrs. Chretien on your first
official visit to Malaysia. We also feel honoured by the
presence of provincial Premiers and top Canadian corporate
leaders in your delegation. We hope that this visit will
provide you with a better understanding and appreciation of
the rich political, economic and cultural diversity in our
country as well as the opportunities for greater economic co
-operation between Malaysia and Canada.
2. Both of us have had the opportunity to discuss broad
areas of co-operation and issues of common concern in our
meetings recently in Auckland and Osaka. Your visit
provides us with another opportunity to discuss further on
ways and means of strengthening the already close and
cordial ties that exist between our two countries.
3. Despite the geographical distance that separates our
two countries, Canada is always close to the heart of most
Malaysians. Thousands of Malaysian students have gone to
Canada to pursue their higher education over the years.
Those who have returned are today holding important
positions in government and business. They form an
important link in Malaysia-Canada relationship. The
excellent facilities that Canada provides will continue to
attract large numbers of Malaysian students in the years to
come. On behalf of the Malaysian government, I wish to
thank you for the co-operation that Canada has given in
providing education and training to so many of our students.
We hope we can continue to count on Canada in our efforts to
produce sufficient trained professionals to meet our growing
manpower requirements.
4. Malaysia needs a large pool of trained and skilful
professionals in its quest to become a developed nation by
the year 2020. The momentum of economic development and
industrialisation is expected to increase as we approach the
21st century, opening up in the process new opportunities
for foreign investment and participation. The door for
Canadian participation is always wide open. Let me add at
this juncture that the developed nation that we aspire to
become is not just one that enjoys a high level of economic
development and industrialisation and high income for its
citizens but also one that upholds strong moral, cultural
and religious values. Respect for these values would go a
long way towards establishing a durable relationship with
Malaysia.
5. Other than co-operating together at the bilateral
level, under which Malaysia has benefited considerably from
Canadian technical assistance programme, our two countries
have also been closely engaged in common endeavours within
the United Nations system, the Commonwealth, the ASEAN
dialogue process and APEC. It is clear from the interaction
that we share many common interests, ranging from the need
to strengthen the role of the United Nations as a factor of
global peace and stability to the specific need to foster co
-operative peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
We have participated in common peace-keeping operations in
different parts of the world and we are together
deliberating on other measures that would prevent conflict
and spare human beings from the kind of tragedies that we
have seen in Bosnia, Somalia and Rwanda.
6. With the reservoir of goodwill and understanding
generated through years of close co-operation, a strong
foundation has been built on which Malaysia and Canada could
further intensify our relations. The signing of several
agreements and Memoranda of Understanding today, covering
air services, education and forestry strengthen our optimism
in the future of Malaysia-Canada ties.
7. The end of the Cold War has brought many changes to the
region as it has to Europe and other parts of the world.
Today, Southeast Asia is enjoying peace as never before. A
socialist Vietnam is today a member of ASEAN. We are
optimistic that very soon ASEAN will become a family of ten.
It is a rich market and blessed with abundant resources.
With growing prosperity, the ASEAN Ten will be a bigger
anchor for peace and stability for the entire region. It
speaks highly of Canada for having the foresight to be
engaged with ASEAN as a dialogue partner from an early date.
Malaysia welcomes Canadian collaboration with ASEAN`s
development efforts as well as its participation in the
ASEAN Regional Forum. Canada has done so on the basis of
partnership and full respect for the sensitivities and
interest of ASEAN. This is the way we expect of all those
who wish to co-operate with ASEAN.
8. In conclusion, may I once again express our deep
appreciation for your visit and hope that you will have an
enjoyable and memorable stay in our country.
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