NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY PARTICIPATES IN FIRST ANNUAL CONSULTATIONS ON NUCLEAR ISSUES
February 3, 2000 (5:30 p.m. EST) No. 16
AXWORTHY PARTICIPATES IN FIRST ANNUAL CONSULTATIONS
ON NUCLEAR ISSUES
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today participated in the first annual
consultations with civil society on nuclear issues being held in Ottawa on February 3
and 4. At a roundtable discussion today, the Minister was briefed by
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academic and government participants
on earlier sessions on international security, non-proliferation and disarmament
issues.
Following an exchange of views on these questions and their implications for
Canadian policy, Mr. Axworthy thanked the participants for contributing their time
and ideas to this new process of consultations.
"A robust nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime is vital for Canadian
and global security, and these consultations are an important way to further that
end," said Minister Axworthy. "Drawing on the experience and expertise available in
Canada's NGO and academic communities enhances our effectiveness in
international efforts to control, reduce, and ultimately eliminate nuclear weapons."
The government agreed to hold consultations in its April 1999 response to the
December 1998 Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign
Affairs and International Trade, Canada and the Nuclear Challenge: Reducing the
Political Value of Nuclear Weapons for the Twenty-First Century. Based on the
recommendations of a steering group of NGO, academic and government
representatives, some 20 experts from across Canada were invited to participate,
together with government specialists.
Mr. Axworthy welcomed the consultations as an opportunity to discuss Canadian
strategy in the run-up to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
(NPT) Review Conference to be held in New York from April 24 to May 19. The
Minister also updated the participants on Canada's successful efforts at the NATO
Ministerial in Brussels last December, when NATO agreed to review policy options
on non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament.
Topics for discussion on the second and final day of consultations will include the
NPT and related agreements; nuclear weapons and NATO; ballistic missiles; and
verification and controls.
A report on the proceedings will be made available on the Department's Non-Proliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament Division Web site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/arms/menu-e.asp.
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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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