NEWS RELEASES

April 4, 1996 No. 61

AXWORTHY TO VISIT MOSCOW AND

FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will be making his first official visit to Moscow and to the former Yugoslavia April 8-11. Mr. Axworthy will begin his trip in Moscow on April 8, then he will visit Croatia on April 9, Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 9 and 10, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro) on April 11.

While in Moscow, Mr. Axworthy will meet with Russian Prime Minister Chernomyrdin and with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Primakov, to discuss bilateral and international issues of mutual interest. The visit provides the opportunity to review Canada-Russia priorities, including the expansion of trade and investment. Mr. Axworthy plans to meet with members of the Canadian business community in Russia.

"This visit will help us strengthen our ties with Russia and explore a number of opportunities for co-operation on key international issues," said Mr. Axworthy.

During his one-day visit to Moscow, Mr. Axworthy will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on nuclear co-operation, which is in keeping with the spirit of the Nuclear Co-operation Agreement signed in 1989. This MOU sets the stage for Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's participation at the Nuclear Summit being held in Moscow April 19-20.

While in the former Yugoslavia, Mr. Axworthy will meet with political leaders and other key figures, as well as non-governmental organizations to discuss issues such as the peace process, reconstruction, human rights, aid to refugees, democratic development and trade opportunities.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Minister will visit the Canadian NATO Peace Implementation Force (IFOR) contingent and a CARE Canada humanitarian aid project. Mr. Axworthy will also meet with Carl Bildt, the High Representative for civilian peace implementation for Bosnia, to discuss Canada's approach to reconstruction and to express Canada's support for his efforts. Mr. Axworthy will also inaugurate the Canadian Embassy in Sarajevo on April 10.

"The presence of a Canadian Embassy in Sarajevo will help us develop our relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and enable us to better co-ordinate our reconstruction efforts," said Mr. Axworthy.

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Mr. Axworthy's itinerary is attached.

Media representatives interested in attending should contact the Canadian Embassy in Zagreb at 011-385-1-457-7885.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Catherine Lappe

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

ITINERARY

Moscow, Monday, April 8, 1996

09:30 Meeting with Foreign Minister Primakov

15:00 Signing of the MOU (photo-op and press scrum)

17:30 Press Conference at the Metropol Hotel

18:30 Reception for the Canadian business community in Russia

(open to press, TBC)

Zagreb, Tuesday, April 9, 1996

08:30 Meeting with Foreign Minister Granic (photo op)

09:40 Joint media opportunity

Coralici, Tuesday, April 9, 1996

12:00 Meeting Canadian IFOR troops

Visiting site of a mass grave

Visiting CARE Canada humanitarian project

Tour of area

Sarajevo, Wednesday, April 10, 1996

12:45 Canadian Embassy inauguration ceremony (open to press)

14:30 Meeting with Foreign Minister Prlic

15:30 Joint press conference with Foreign Minister Prlic

15:45 Meeting with Vice-President Ganic

16:30 Meeting with High Representative Carl Bildt

Belgrade, Thursday, April 11, 1996

09:00 Meeting with Foreign Minister Milutinovic

11:00 Meeting with Serbian President Milosevic

(press scrum TBC)