NEWS RELEASES
SHEIKHA MOZAH OF QATAR CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO CANADA
June 1, 2000 (3:55 p.m. EDT) No. 129
SHEIKHA MOZAH OF QATAR CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO
CANADA
The Consort of the Amir of Qatar, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah, successfully
concluded an official visit to Canada as head of a delegation of health, social service
and education experts. The delegation began its tour on May 27 in Toronto and departs
from Halifax today.
The Sheikha's itinerary included a visit to the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children and the
University of Toronto on May 29. During her stay in Ottawa on May 30 and 31, she was
received by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and met with Foreign Affairs Minister
Lloyd Axworthy, Health Minister Allan Rock and Secretary of State for Multiculturalism
and Status of Women Hedy Fry.
"This was a welcome opportunity to enhance co-operation between Canada and Qatar
in the education and medical sectors," said Mr. Axworthy. "Sheikha Mozah and I had
discussions on Canada's social safety net and political structure, issues of interest to
her given that Qatar is forging ahead with social and political reforms."
On May 31, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah was guest of honour at a luncheon
sponsored by the National Council of Canada-Arab Relations, where she spoke on the
historical evolution of the role of women in her country. She later toured the Parliament
buildings, where she was received by Senate Speaker Gildas Molgat and House
Speaker Gilbert Parent. The Amir of Qatar has launched a constitutional review process
that will result in the introduction of an elected parliamentary institution in Qatar.
Later in the afternoon, the Sheikha took part in a ceremony to mark Qatari participation
in a Canadian-led initiative, the Scholarship Fund for Palestinian Refugee Women in
Lebanon. This project is in the context of Canada's responsibility as Gavel of the
Refugee Working Group in the multilateral track of the Middle East Peace Process.
The Sheikha travelled to Halifax on May 31, where she visited Dalhousie University and
the Grace Health Centre for Children, Women and Families, before returning to Doha
today.
This visit results from exchanges between Minister Axworthy and the Amir of Qatar, His
Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, following Mr. Axworthy's participation in
the fourth Middle East and North Africa Economic Conference held in Doha in
November 1997.
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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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