NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY TO HOST CANADA-EU TALKS WITHPORTUGUESE STATE AND FOREIGN MINISTER GAMAAND EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER PATTEN
February 4, 2000 (10:30 a.m. EST) No. 17
AXWORTHY TO HOST CANADA-EU TALKS WITH
PORTUGUESE STATE AND FOREIGN MINISTER GAMA
AND EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER PATTEN
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Portugal's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs,
Jaime Gama, and the European Commission's External Relations Commissioner, Christopher Patten, will visit
Ottawa on February 6 and 7 to take part in a Canada-European Union (EU) Transatlantic Ministerial meeting.
Portugal holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU until June 30.
"This meeting is an opportunity to further enhance Canada-EU relations and to review recent developments
within the European Union and the priorities of the Portuguese Presidency, in preparation for the next Canada-EU Summit, being held June 26 in Portugal," said Minister Axworthy. "We will also discuss human security
issues of particular concern to Canada, including conflict prevention, war-affected children, arms control and
non-proliferation."
The Minister added that in the February 7 meeting he will address Northern co-operation in the Arctic, following
up on last December's Canada-EU statement on this issue. The joint statement provides a framework for the
development of common international policies that promote sustainable development in the North, while taking
account of its environmental fragility and of the particular needs and interests of its Indigenous peoples.
During their visit, Minister Gama and Commissioner Patten will also meet with Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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