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NEWS RELEASES

January 23, 2003 (10:20 a.m. EST) No. 12

VISIT TO CANADA OF DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is visiting Canada from January 22 to 28, 2003. Mr. Graham will meet with Mr. Ivanic on January 24.

"We warmly welcome the first visit to Canada by a Bosnian foreign minister," said Mr. Graham. "Canada strongly supports Bosnia's continued progress on reforms and respect for diversity. I look forward to discussions that will focus on common peacebuilding efforts and security cooperation in the Balkans, as well as enhancing bilateral relations between our countries."

During their meeting, the two ministers will discuss the role of the Canadian peacekeeping mission in BiH, as democratic reforms continue and as Bosnia looks forward to eventual inclusion in key Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Canada has provided contingents of between 1,000 and 2,000 troops to Bosnia for over a decade, and currently has 1,270 soldiers there. Canada has also provided over $100 million for landmine clearance, health care and support for good governance, through the Canadian International Development Agency.

In Ottawa, Minister Ivanic will also meet with International Cooperation Minister Susan Whelan and National Defence Minister John McCallum.

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