NEWS RELEASES
FOREIGN MINISTER OF URUGUAY VISITS CANADA OCTOBER 29 TO 31
October 29, 1997 No. 174
FOREIGN MINISTER OF URUGUAY VISITS CANADA OCTOBER 29 TO
31
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister for International Trade
Sergio Marchi announced today that Foreign Minister Alvaro Ramos of Uruguay is
visiting Canada from October 29 to 31.
Minister Ramos's trip will focus on strengthening bilateral relations and on
renewing an agreement designed to help increase exports and investment between
Canada and Uruguay. Mr. Ramos will meet both Ministers Axworthy and Marchi today.
"Canada and Uruguay have close, productive relations," said Mr. Axworthy. "I look
forward to renewing those relations, and will also discuss a variety of regional
and multilateral issues with Minister Ramos, including peacekeeping and United
Nations reform."
"Uruguay is the current chair of South America's predominant trade grouping,
Mercosur, which is a priority area for further trade and investment development,"
said Mr. Marchi. "The renewed Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection
Agreement (FIPA) that we will sign demonstrates our strong desire to forge closer
economic links with Uruguay and its Mercosur partners."
Canada and Uruguay signed a FIPA in 1991. Canada's new FIPA with Uruguay builds in
new obligations that make it more compatible with Canada's obligations under the
North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
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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