NEWS RELEASES
KNUTSON TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH CYPRUS AND MALTA
June 7, 2002 (1:45 p.m. EDT) No. 64
KNUTSON TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH CYPRUS AND MALTA
Gar Knutson, Secretary of State (Central and Eastern Europe and Middle East) will visit Cyprus and Malta from
June 9 to 15, 2002, to strengthen ties and explore opportunities for Canadian enterprises. Mr. Knutson will be
accompanied by a Canadian business delegation.
"Canada will have a lot to offer to Cyprus and Malta in the coming years, particularly as they are two of the
wealthiest per capita candidate countries for entry into the European Union," said Mr. Knutson. "These
countries are updating their laws and infrastructure, which will create potential opportunities for Canadian
companies in a number of sectors. This visit will also focus on strengthening the good relationships established
by the Canadian Cypriot and Maltese communities with their home countries."
In Cyprus, Mr. Knutson will meet with Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Nicos Rolandis, Minister of
Communications and Works Averof Neophytou, and Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Christodoulos
Pasiardis, as well as the Mayor of Lanarca. During his stay in Cyprus, the Secretary of State will also lay a
wreath at the Canadian cenotaph in memory of those soldiers who gave their lives while serving with the UN
Force in Cyprus.
Mr. Knutson will then travel to Malta where he will meet with President Guido de Marco, Speaker of the House
of Representatives Anton Tabone, Prime Minister Edward Fenech-Adami, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph
Borg, Minister of Economic Services Josef Bonnici, and Giovanna Debono, Minister for the Maltese island of
Gozo.
Mr. Knutson, Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London, will also meet business people and
representatives from the chambers of commerce in both countries.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Susan McConnell
Office of the Secretary of State (Central and Eastern Europe and Middle East)
(613) 990-7769
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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