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<title> AXWORTHY TO VISIT RUSSIA, ATTEND APEC MINISTERIAL</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">November 6, 1998 (2:30 p.m. EST) No. 259</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1"> AXWORTHY TO VISIT RUSSIA, </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">ATTEND APEC MINISTERIAL</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced he will visit Moscow, Russia, from November 10 to 11,
and then participate in the APEC forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on November 14. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Although Canada and Russia already maintain wide-ranging political relations through regular working-level
exchanges, this meeting will enable us to deepen our mutual understanding with respect to UN affairs, G-8
issues, European security, economic issues, Arctic and Northern </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">co-operation and a vast array of other bilateral topics," said Mr. Axworthy. "We will also use this opportunity to
discuss our governments' respective objectives for the upcoming APEC Ministerial and Leaders Meetings in
Kuala Lumpur, which will mark Russia's accession to the APEC forum."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">In Russia, Mr. Axworthy will meet with Russia's Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and Foreign Minister Igor
Ivanov, principally to discuss key international security issues, such as the situation in Kosovo, and ways to
improve Canada-Russia co-operation on regional issues. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">In Malaysia, Mr. Axworthy will join International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi to attend the 10th meeting of
APEC ministers responsible for international trade and for foreign affairs. The APEC Ministerial Meeting will be
followed by the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, November 17 to 18, which Prime Minister Chrétien will be
attending.</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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