NEWS RELEASES
RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CANADA
September 26, 1997 No. 153
RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CANADA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced that Russian Foreign
Minister Yevgeny Primakov will visit Canada from September 29 to 30. Although the
two ministers have met a number of times in the past at P-8 meetings and during
Mr. Axworthy's April 1996 visit to Russia, this will be Mr. Primakov's first
official visit to Canada.
"Mr. Primakov's visit will provide an opportunity for dialogue on important
international political issues, including Canada's candidacy for the United
Nations Security Council, the campaign to ban anti-personnel mines, the NATO-Russia relationship and peacebuilding in Bosnia," said Mr. Axworthy. "I will also
raise several bilateral priorities, including closer ties with Russia in the
Arctic and the North and a more structured relationship in the Asia Pacific
region."
During the two-day visit, Mr. Axworthy will hold a series of meetings with Mr.
Primakov in Ottawa. The Russian minister will also meet with Governor General
Roméo LeBlanc, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Speaker of the Senate Gildas Molgat,
International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi and Minister of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development Jane Stewart.
Canada-Russia two-way trade, which was valued at $781 million in 1996, is on the
increase in 1997. Canadian expertise has had success in the oil, gas, construction
equipment, telecommunications, agri-food and pharmaceuticals sectors. Canadian
investment in Russia is also growing.
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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
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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