NEWS RELEASES
ALGERIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CANADA
March 14, 1997 No. 49
ALGERIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CANADA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced the official visit to
Canada, from March 17 to 19, of the Foreign Affairs Minister of the People's
Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr. Ahmed Attaf.
The visit, the first by an Algerian Foreign Minister since Canada-Algeria
diplomatic relations were established in 1962, follows the December 1996 visit to
Algeria by Don Boudria, Minister for International Co-operation and Minister
Responsible for la Francophonie.
With trade between the two countries amounting to nearly a billion dollars in
1996, Algeria is one of Canada's leading economic partners in Africa and the
Middle East.
"Our relations with Algeria are benefiting from a fresh impetus in the economic,
financial, scientific, cultural and technical sectors," said Mr. Axworthy, who
will meet with Mr. Attaf to examine ways to strengthen Canada-Algeria bilateral
relations and to discuss international and regional issues of common concern.
In Ottawa, Mr. Attaf will also meet with Senate Speaker Gildas Molgat and House of
Commons Speaker Gilbert Parent. A meeting with the members of the House of Commons
Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade is also scheduled,
as well as an address by Mr. Attaf before the National Press Club.
In Montreal, Mr. Attaf will participate in a luncheon meeting hosted by Martin
Cauchon, Secretary of State for Regional Development (Quebec), to be attended by a
group of business people. A meeting is also planned with Montreal's Algerian
community.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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