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<title>AXWORTHY RELEASES CONSULTATION PAPER ON NORTHERN FOREIGN POLICY</title>
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<p><font face="Courier" size="+1"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">September 17, 1998 No. 215</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY RELEASES CONSULTATION PAPER ON NORTHERN
FOREIGN POLICY </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today released Canada's Arctic foreign
policy consultation paper, <em>Toward a Northern Foreign Policy for Canada</em>.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The new foreign policy consultation paper charts the way for co-operative efforts
with other circumpolar countries to deal with a wide range of northern issues,"
said Mr. Axworthy, at the first ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council in
Iqaluit, Canada. "The paper serves as a platform for further consultation with
territorial governments, northern Aboriginal organizations and other interested
Canadians, leading to a final foreign policy framework for coming years."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy said that recent events within Canada and abroad prompted the new
policy consultation paper. These events include the Government's response to the
recent Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, <em>Gathering Strength</em>;
recent land claims settlements; creation of the new northern territories of
Nunavut and the western Arctic; and the establishment of the international Arctic
Council, which comprises eight countries and three international organizations
representing Indigenous peoples.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The consultation paper deals with seven major themes:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> sustainable development;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> environmental protection;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> social and cultural renewal;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> regional good governance and democratic development;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> northern sovereignty and security;</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> bilateral relations with northern neighbours; and</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"> the consultative process. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Mr. Axworthy also welcomed publication of a report by the Canadian Centre for
Foreign Policy Development on Canada's circumpolar relations. Cross-Canada public
discussions called the National Forum on Canada's Circumpolar Relations were held
in May and June 1998. The results contributed to the consultation paper on
northern foreign policy for Canada. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The National Forum report is available at: www.cfp-pec.gc.ca</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"><em>Toward a Northern Foreign Policy for Canada</em> is available on the Web site of the
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/arctic/menu-e.htm and will be the basis for further public
consultations.</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">For information on the National Forum report:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Alison McCuaig</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canadian Centre for Foreign Policy Development</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 944-4150</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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