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<title>MINISTER AXWORTHY TO ATTEND OSCE COUNCIL AND EU MEETINGS IN VIENNA AND TO RECEIVE THE NORTH-SOUTH PRIZE IN LISBON</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">October 19, 1998 <em>(12.05 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 244</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">MINISTER AXWORTHY TO ATTEND </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">OSCE COUNCIL AND EU MEETINGS IN VIENNA </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">AND TO RECEIVE THE NORTH-SOUTH PRIZE IN LISBON</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced today that he will be in Vienna, Austria, on October 21 and
22, and in Lisbon, Portugal, on October 23 and 24.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">In Vienna, on October 22, Mr. Axworthy will meet with Giancarlo Aragona and Adam Kobieracki, respectively
the Secretary-General and Permanent Council Ambassador of the Organization for Security and Co-operation
in Europe (OSCE), before addressing the OSCE Permanent Council. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"My discussions with OSCE Council members will provide necessary insight on how Canada can most
effectively participate in international efforts to resolve the crisis in Kosovo," said Mr. Axworthy. "Canada is
firmly engaged in the pursuit of a constructive and permanent solution to this conflict." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Following his meeting with the OSCE Council, Minister Axworthy will attend a Canada-European Union (EU)
ministerial meeting, where he will seek EU co-operation on human security issues and discuss the
implementation of the Canada-EU Action Plan and elements of the next Canada-EU summit, as well as the
global economic situation, the West Balkans and Russia. Launched in December 1996, the Canada-EU Action
Plan is designed to help further advance mutual co-operation and interests and includes initiatives such as
semi-annual Canada-EU summits. The next Canada-EU summit is to be held in Canada.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Later the same day, Mr. Axworthy will meet with Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel, his Austrian counterpart,
and take part in an Austria-Canada ministerial round table on international human security issues. The round
table discussions will focus on the protection of children (including children in armed conflict, child labour and
child pornography on the Internet) and the protection of civilian populations, where issues will include
landmines and the proliferation of small arms. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">On October 23, in Lisbon, Minister Axworthy is scheduled to meet with the President of Portugal, Mr. Jorge
Sampaio, as well as with the former President, Mr. Mario Soares. The Minister will also meet with his
Portuguese counterpart, Foreign Minister Jaime Gama, to discuss bilateral issues between Canada and
Portugal, as well as broader issues of common and international interest, such as peace and security, the
promotion of human rights and democracy, the ban on landmines and the proliferation of small arms.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Later the same day, Mr. Axworthy will attend a ceremony at the Portuguese Parliament, where he will be
awarded the Council of Europe's North-South prize, in recognition of his leading role in securing a global ban
on landmines. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"I am very honoured to receive this award," said Mr. Axworthy. "I am particularly privileged to be sharing it with
Mrs. Graça Machel, whose work on behalf of children's rights worldwide is exemplary. Canada shares many of
Mrs. Machel's concerns and goals, as reflected in the strong human security agenda we are entrenching in
Canada's foreign policy. Our work on banning anti-personnel mines is an example of our commitment to this
agenda, and I am very pleased to have that commitment recognized by the Council of Europe's North-South
Centre."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The North-South prize is awarded annually to two people -- one each from the northern and southern
hemispheres -- who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in human rights protection and the struggle
for pluralist democracy. Recipients are selected by a jury of eminent Europeans and Africans at the Council of
Europe's North-South Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity. Mr. Axworthy's co-recipient is Mrs.
Graça Machel, a South African children's rights activist, who recently visited Canada with her husband,
President Nelson Mandela. Last year's recipients were Mrs. Mary Robinson, then-President of Ireland, and
former Chilean President Patricio Aylwin.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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