NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY TO VISIT PARIS TO REVIEW KOSOVO PEACE PROCESS
May 14, 1999 (12:45 p.m. EDT) No. 110
AXWORTHY TO VISIT PARIS TO REVIEW
KOSOVO PEACE PROCESS
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will meet with French Foreign Minister Hubert Védrine in Paris on May 18 to review
diplomatic efforts to advance the Kosovo peace process and to discuss bilateral relations with France. He will then participate in a
roundtable discussion on human security.
Mr. Axworthy will examine with Mr. Védrine the initiatives taken by Canada and France at the G-8, at the United Nations and in
other forums aimed at achieving progress toward a diplomatic settlement of the current conflict. The Minister looks forward to
reviewing the results of Mr. Védrine's and French President Jacques Chirac's diplomatic mission to Moscow this week.
"Canada and France are working closely at NATO, in the Security Council and in the G-8 process," said Mr. Axworthy. "We
share with France the values and objectives that are behind NATO's actions, and we are both actively engaged in moving forward
the diplomatic process in support of the general principles adopted last week by the G-8 Foreign Ministers."
At their May 6 meeting, the G-8 Foreign Ministers agreed on key principles for a political solution to the Kosovo crisis. Canada is
determined to see the conflict settled according to the conditions established by the international community and through the United
Nations Security Council.
Mr. Axworthy will also review with Mr. Védrine the progress made under the Program of Action signed in Ottawa last December
during Prime Minister Jospin's visit. The document covers all aspects of the Canada-France relationship and is aimed at assuring
closer co-operation on international issues. Minister Axworthy also plans to visit the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris, a showcase
of Canadian arts and culture.
Mr. Axworthy will then travel to Bergen, Norway, on May 19 to 20, to attend a ministerial meeting on human security.
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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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