NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY TO VISIT MIDDLE EAST
November 3, 1997 No. 178
AXWORTHY TO VISIT MIDDLE EAST
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will visit the Middle East from November 9
to 16, 1997. Mr. Axworthy will meet with leaders in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the
West Bank and Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. He will then lead a 15-member Canadian
business delegation to the fourth Middle East/North Africa Economic Conference in
Doha, Qatar.
"The Convention to Ban Anti-Personnel Mines and the direction of the Middle East
Peace Process will be at the top of the agenda during my visit," said Mr.
Axworthy. "I will seek the support of countries in the region to join the global
coalition on the landmines issue. In the context of the Peace Process, Canada is
engaged in the search for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region,
which includes resolving the Palestinian refugee question. We are encouraged by
the recent resumption of direct dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian
Authority."
While in Israel, Mr. Axworthy will pursue clarification on the steps taken to
ensure Canadian passports will not be misused again.
Mr. Axworthy will join government and industry leaders from the Middle East, North
Africa and countries worldwide in Doha to assess the changing business environment
and potential opportunities in the region. Canadian companies and organizations
participating in the conference will highlight Canadian capabilities in a broad
range of sectors.
On November 17, the Minister will travel to Ankara, Turkey. There he will meet
with leaders to encourage their participation in the landmine conference in Ottawa
in December.
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An itinerary is attached for information.
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
Media accreditation for the Doha Conference must be obtained through the Media
Office, World Economic Forum, Geneva, contact: Andrea Maurer,
tel.: 011-41-22-869-1212; fax: 011-41-22-786-2744.
For more information on the Doha Conference via the Internet, please contact:
http://www.weforum.org/enhanced/regional/mn97/mn_toc.htm
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Middle East and Turkey
Sunday, November 9 - Cairo, Egypt
Monday, November 10 - Cairo, Egypt
Tuesday, November 11 - Israel
Wednesday, November 12 - Amman, Jordan
Thursday, November 13 - West Bank/Gaza
Friday, November 14 - Beirut, Lebanon
Saturday, November 15 - Damascus, Syria
Sunday, November 16 - Doha, Qatar
11:30 Opening of the Conference, Doha Conference Centre
Monday, November 17 - Ankara, Turkey
Note: This itinerary as of November 3, 1997, may be subject to change. For updates
on the itinerary, contact:
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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