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<title>FOREIGN MINISTER OF PERU TO VISIT CANADA </title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">March 25, 1998 No. 71</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">FOREIGN MINISTER OF PERU TO VISIT CANADA </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced today that Canada and Peru will
take concrete steps to expand bilateral relations during the visit to Ottawa from
March 25 to 26 of Eduardo Ferrero Costa, the Foreign Minister of Peru. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The two Ministers will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will
establish more regular, high-level links between the countries, and will guide
discussions on a wide variety of issues, such as regional security, criminal
justice co-operation, trade liberalization, governance and human rights.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"South America is a priority region for deeper political, social and economic
links," said Mr. Axworthy. "As the Santiago Summit nears, Canada is committed to
working more closely with Peru on a range of regional issues." </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada and Peru will also sign a declaration of intent to negotiate a treaty on
mutual legal assistance on criminal matters. The treaty would assist bilateral
co-operation in combating transnational crime.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Finally, Canada and Peru will sign a Joint Declaration on Cultural Patrimony
highlighting the importance both place on the protection of their cultural
heritage. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">While in Ottawa, Mr. Ferrero will also meet: Deputy Prime Minister Herb Gray;
International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi; David Kilgour, Secretary of State
(Latin America and Africa); Bill Graham, Chairman of the Standing Committee on
Foreign Affairs and International Trade; and Huguette Labelle, President of the
Canadian International Development Agency.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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