NEWS RELEASES
COLOMBIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE MINISTERS VISITING CANADA
October 20, 1997 No. 167
COLOMBIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE MINISTERS
VISITING CANADA
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and International Trade Minister Sergio
Marchi today announced that Colombian Foreign Affairs Minister Maria Emma Mejia
and Foreign Trade Minister Carlos Ronderos are visiting Canada from October 20 to
22, 1997.
Ms. Mejia will meet with Mr. Axworthy on October 21 to discuss such issues as
human rights, measures to control narcotrafficking, and reform of international
institutions. "Canada appreciated Colombia's support for a ban on anti-personnel
landmines through the Ottawa Process," said Mr. Axworthy. "Colombia is playing an
active role in regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest."
On October 21, Mr. Ronderos will meet with Mr. Marchi to discuss trade and
investment issues, as well as the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) process,
and preparations for the next Summit of the Americas, to be held in Santiago,
Chile in April 1998. "Colombia is one of Canada's key Latin American partners and
our third-largest trading partner in South America," said Mr. Marchi. In 1996,
bilateral trade with Colombia was valued at $800 million, and total Canadian
investment was $3 billion.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Leslie Swartman
Office of the Minister for International Trade
(613) 992-7332
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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