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<title>GERMAN VICE-CHANCELLOR AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER AND EUROPEAN COMMISSION VICE-PRESIDENT TO VISIT CANADA TO ENHANCE CANADA-GERMANY AND CANADA-EU RELATIONS</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">February 26, 1999 <em>(2:15 p.m. EST)</em> No. 42</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">GERMAN VICE-CHANCELLOR AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">AND EUROPEAN COMMISSION VICE-PRESIDENT </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">TO VISIT CANADA TO ENHANCE CANADA-GERMANY AND CANADA-EU RELATIONS</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced the visit to Canada on March 1 of Joschka Fischer, Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Affairs Minister of Germany and President of the Council of Ministers of the European
Union (EU), and of Sir Leon Brittan, Vice-President of the European Commission. Mr. Axworthy and his German
counterpart will take part in a bilateral Canada-Germany meeting and in a Canada-EU meeting, the latter involving
the participation of Sir Leon Brittan.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada's relations with Germany are based on a commonality of values and priorities," said Mr. Axworthy. "This
compatibility translates not only in our ability to develop, adopt and implement joint and parallel policies, for
example, with respect to landmines, but also in our ability to co-operate within multilateral fora such as NATO, the
UN and the G-8." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The bilateral meeting between Ministers Axworthy and Fischer will focus on a range of bilateral and multilateral
issues including: the upcoming G-8 meeting in Köln, Germany; the upcoming NATO summit; Canadian priorities at
the UN Security Council; international peacekeeping; the Middle East Peace Process and economic reforms in
Ukraine.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">With respect to the Canada-EU meeting, Mr. Axworthy stated, "Given our similar approaches to conflict resolution,
Canada and the EU can do much together to help in the demining of former war zones and the safe development of
microdisarmament procedures, which can help stem the flow of small arms to war-afflicted regions of the world." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial"> </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">In the context of the Canada-EU transatlantic ministerial meeting, Ministers Axworthy and Fischer and Sir Leon
Brittan will focus on co-operation on human security issues such as small arms and landmines, and conflict
situations in Kosovo and in Africa. The status of Canada-EU relations and objectives for the next Canada-EU
Summit will also be raised. </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>
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