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<title>KYRGYZ REPUBLIC FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CANADA</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">June 3, 1998 No. 142</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">KYRGYZ REPUBLIC FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CANADA</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced today that the Minister of
Foreign Affairs for the Kyrgyz Republic, Muratbek Imanaliev, will make an
official visit to Canada June 3 to 5 to discuss closer political and economic
relations.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Imanaliev will meet with Mr. Axworthy and Natural Resources Minister Ralph
Goodale, as well as with senior officials of EDC (Export Development Corporation)
and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The Kyrgyz Republic has made exceptional progress in democratic and economic
reform since independence and promises to be an outstanding partner with Canada
in international co-operation, trade and investment," Mr. Axworthy said.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy and Mr. Imanaliev will sign a bilateral agreement to prevent double
taxation of Canadian and Kyrgyz citizens who work or do business in both
countries.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Kyrgyz Republic, which was part of the former Soviet Union, has been an
independent nation since 1991 and has a population of 4.5 million. Canada is the
largest foreign investor in the country, mainly in the mining sector.</font></p>
<p><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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