NEWS RELEASES
August 27, 2004 (10:30 a.m. EDT) No. 96
MINISTER PETTIGREW TO CONSULT KEY COUNTERPARTS IN
EUROPE
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced that he will travel to Europe
from August 30 to September 14 to meet with key European counterparts.
“Our relationship with Europe is fundamental to promoting Canadian interests in the
world. Canadians and Europeans have a common vision in most areas of foreign policy,
as well as shared political and social values,” said Minister Pettigrew. “During this trip, I
will deliver the message that Canada remains committed to working closely with the
Europeans to advance international security and effective global governance.”
The trip will take place in two parts. From August 30 to September 5, Minister Pettigrew
will be in Brussels, Moscow and Berlin. After a brief return to Canada to attend the
Cabinet retreat, he will resume his trip to Paris and London from September 10 to 14.
The five-country trip will include meetings with foreign affairs ministers Karel de Gucht
of Belgium (August 31), Sergei Lavrov of Russia (September 1), Joschka Fischer of
Germany (September 2), Michel Barnier of France (September 10) and Jack Straw of
the United Kingdom (September 14). Minister Pettigrew will also meet NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (August 30), European Union Commissioner for
External Relations Chris Patten (August 30) and EU High Representative Javier Solana
(August 31).
Minister Pettigrew intends to elicit European perspectives on regional security
challenges, G8 priorities and key crises such as Darfur to be addressed at the
upcoming UN General Assembly. He will also participate in roundtables with European
policy experts in Brussels, London and Paris.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
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