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<title>KILGOUR TO DISCUSS BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH CARIBBEAN LEADERS</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">May 15, 1998 No. 126</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">KILGOUR TO DISCUSS BILATERAL RELATIONS </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">WITH CARIBBEAN LEADERS</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) David Kilgour will visit Barbados,
Grenada and Guyana from May 17 to 23 to discuss bilateral relations.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada has a longstanding and warm relationship with Caribbean Community and
Common Market (CARICOM) countries. This visit will provide the opportunity for
constructive dialogue on issues of mutual concern and on areas where we can
strengthen our bilateral co-operation," said Kilgour. "To promote global
prosperity, we must work together in partnership with the CARICOM region to face
the challenges of economic integration under the Free Trade Area of the Americas
(FTAA)."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">While in Barbados from May 18 to 19, Kilgour will meet with government leaders,
including Prime Minister Owen Arthur, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the
Minister of Home Affairs and Attorney General, and the Minister of International
Trade and Business. He will meet with representatives from the CARICOM Trade
Secretariat and the Caribbean Development Bank, as well as with the Brigadier-General of the Barbados Defence Force.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">In Grenada, on May 20, he will meet Prime Minister Keith Mitchell and the
Minister of Foreign Affairs. In Guyana, from May 21 to 23, he will meet President
Janet Jagan, the Finance Minister, and the CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">During these meetings, Kilgour will discuss regional security, narcotics
smuggling and money laundering, ratification of the landmines treaty, Canada's
bid for a seat on the UN Security Council, and the concerns of smaller economies
in the FTAA process.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">CARICOM was established in 1973 to promote greater unity among countries of the
Caribbean. One of the organization's main objectives is the economic integration
of its 14 members into a single market and economy by 2000. CARICOM also provides
services to assist co-operation in areas such as transportation, environment,
health, education, culture, communications and industrial relations. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Kilgour's visit follows several events in Canada-CARICOM relations. Prime
Minister Chrétien last month co-hosted the Fifth Canada-CARICOM Heads of
Government Summit in the Bahamas. In March, International Trade Minister Marchi
met with CARICOM trade ministers in Costa Rica.</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">Sara Mohsin</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 992-9404</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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