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<title>AXWORTHY TO ATTEND EURO-ARCTIC COUNCIL IN SWEDEN AND TO VISIT ICELAND AND GREENLAND</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">January 16, 1998 No. 15</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY TO ATTEND EURO-ARCTIC COUNCIL IN SWEDEN AND
TO VISIT ICELAND AND GREENLAND</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy will travel to Sweden, Iceland, and
Greenland from January 19 to 21. In Luleå, he will attend the Barents Euro-Arctic
Council which meets on January 19 and 20. The Canadian delegation to the Council
also includes Mrs. Mary Simon, Canada's Ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs, and
the Member of Parliament for Nunavut, Mrs. Nancy Karetak-Lindell.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Barents Euro-Arctic Council comprises representatives of the Nordic
countries, Russia and the European Union Commission (EC). Canada, the current
chair of the Arctic Council, is an observer to the organization. Formed in 1993,
it fosters co-operation among its members on sustainable development issues such
as environmental protection, health, infrastructure and energy. The Council is
also concerned about the economic, social and cultural well-being of indigenous
peoples. With the exception of the EC, its members also make up a large part of
the membership of the Arctic Council. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Barents Ministers will sign a Declaration reviewing accomplishments to date and
setting out a framework for future action.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada shares many of the objectives of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council for the
circumpolar North," said Minister Axworthy. "I welcome the opportunity to
compare experiences with a group of partners dedicated to finding a sustainable
balance between traditional ways of life and economic development in the North.
The links that we develop through these consultations, and the shared lessons
learned, should benefit northerners from the entire circumpolar region." </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Minister will travel from Luleå to Reykjavik, Iceland on January 20 where he
will meet with President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Prime Minister David Oddson, and
Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Halldor Asgrimsson, in order to
strengthen ties and expand trade between Canada and Iceland.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">On January 21, the Minister will pay a brief visit to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland,
in order to meet with Premier Jonathan Motzfeldt and Minister of Health,
Environment and Research, Mrs. Marianne Jensen, to help reinforce the cultural
and economic links between communities on either side of the Davis Strait.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><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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