NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY WELCOMES SYRIA'S RENEWED COMMITMENT TO PEACE PROCESS
June 21, 1999 (5:25 p.m. EDT) No. 152
AXWORTHY WELCOMES SYRIA'S RENEWED COMMITMENT
TO PEACE PROCESS
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today held discussions with Syrian Foreign Affairs Minister Farouk al-Shara'a on Canada's bilateral relations with Syria and on Syria's role in the Middle East peace process.
"I was encouraged to hear from Mr. Shara'a that Syria is fully committed to re-engaging in negotiations with
Israel as part of a comprehensive Middle East peace process," said
Mr. Axworthy. "I assured the Minister that Canada will continue to play an active role in facilitating a peace
settlement."
During their meeting, Mr. Axworthy congratulated Mr. Shara'a on the opening of the Syrian Embassy as a
further demonstration of the growing ties between Canada and Syria. Minister Axworthy took the opportunity to
brief Minister Shara'a on the results of the G-8 Summit and the recent NATO Foreign Ministers meeting. The
two Ministers also had a full exchange on developments in the Middle East, particularly on the Middle East
peace process and on Iraq.
Minister Axworthy visited Syria in November 1997 and at that time invited Minister Shara'a to pay a reciprocal
visit to Canada. This is the first visit to Canada by a Syrian Foreign Affairs Minister.
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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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