NEWS RELEASES
RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CANADA
September 16, 1999 (9:00 a.m. EDT) No. 205
RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CANADA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Russian Foreign
Minister Igor Ivanov will make an official visit to Ottawa on September 18 to discuss
international issues of common concern, including East Timor, Kosovo and arms
control and disarmament.
"Russia is a key player on the international stage and an important partner for
Canada in multilateral forums," said Mr. Axworthy. "With the heavy agenda at the
UN this fall and elections in Russia beginning in December this year, it is important
for Canada to maintain a constructive and forward-looking dialogue."
During Mr. Ivanov's one-day visit, the two ministers will also discuss this fall's
agenda at the United Nations, including Iraq. As the Co-Chair of a Working Group
on the Arctic and the North within the Canada-Russia Intergovernmental Economic
Commission, Mr. Axworthy will raise the challenges facing investors in Russia and
joint projects in the Arctic and North.
Minister Axworthy and Minister Ivanov have met frequently this year, including most
recently at Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings in Singapore and the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Auckland. Mr. Axworthy also met with
Mr. Ivanov in Moscow in April to discuss the situation in Kosovo. This will be
Mr. Ivanov's first visit to Canada as 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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