NEWS RELEASES
PORTUGUESE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER AND MINISTER OF DEFENCE TO VISIT CANADA
June 11, 1999 (6:15 p.m. EDT) No. 141
PORTUGUESE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER AND MINISTER OF DEFENCE TO VISIT
CANADA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Portugal's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister
for Defence, Jaime Gama, will make an official visit to Canada on June 14.
"Portugal is not only one of Canada's long-standing partners in peace and security issues as a member of
NATO, but also one of the first countries to support the Ottawa Process banning the use, stockpiling,
production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Portugal also played a significant role in the first meeting of the
State Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention held last month in Maputo, Mozambique," said
Mr. Axworthy. "Mr. Gama's visit to Canada is an excellent opportunity to discuss human security issues such as
the promotion of human rights and democracy, the ban on anti-personnel mines and the proliferation of small
weapons."
In Ottawa, the two Ministers will meet to discuss bilateral relations, Portugal's upcoming presidency of the
European Union in January 2000, Canada's priorities for the Security Council, Kosovo and common interests in
the conservation of ocean resources, including ratification of the UN Fisheries Agreement. The two Ministers
will sign a letter of intent on a Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation, which should give further
impetus to the growing economic relations between the two countries.
Mr. Gama will also meet with National Defence Minister Art Eggleton to discuss the situation in Kosovo,
including the Kosovo peace implementation force. "It is a pleasure to meet Minister Gama. Portugal is an
important transatlantic NATO ally for Canada. I look forward to our exchange and to meeting Minister Gama
again at the Informal Defence Ministerial Meetings in Toronto this September," said Minister Eggleton.
Mr. Axworthy last met with Mr. Gama in Lisbon in October 1998, on the occasion of the presentation of the
North-South prize, which recognized Mr. Axworthy's leading role in securing a global ban on landmines.
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Elaine McArdle
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3432
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
| 
