NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES LIFTING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
October 9, 2000 (2:30 p.m. EDT) No. 255
AXWORTHY ANNOUNCES LIFTING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Canada has started lifting
sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY).
"Canada has always underlined that its disagreement was with the Milosevic regime,
never with the people of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The intent of our sanctions
has been to weaken the regime's machine of repression and war," said the Minister.
"With Vojislav Kostunica now inaugurated as President, Canada is pleased to revive its
traditional ties of friendship with Yugoslavia."
Canada has ended the suspension of discussions on bilateral agreements between
Canada and the FRY, imposed on March 9, 1998. Canada has also initiated steps to
delete the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from the Area Control List under the Export
and Import Permits Act, to lift the ban on Canadian investment in the FRY and to
resume export credits and insurance for the sale of Canadian goods to the FRY.
Canada's decision does not affect sanctions put in place by the United Nations Security
Council. Canada continues to enforce a freeze on assets of the former Yugoslavia
pending agreement by the successor states on the division of those assets. In addition,
Canada continues to enforce the arms embargo imposed by the Security Council in
Resolution 1160 (1998). The lifting of the arms embargo is subject to a Security Council
decision.
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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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