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<title>FEDERAL COUNCILLOR AND HEAD OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OF SWITZERLAND TO VISIT CANADA</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">December 1, 1998 <em>(2:30 p.m. EST)</em> No. 275</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">FEDERAL COUNCILLOR AND HEAD OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OF SWITZERLAND TO
VISIT CANADA</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi today announced that the Federal Councillor and Head of the
Federal Department of Economic Affairs of Switzerland, Pascal Couchepin, will make an official visit to Canada,
December 2 to 5. Minister Marchi and his Swiss counterpart will meet on December 3 to sign an agreement on
regulatory co-operation and to discuss bilateral trade and economic issues, including the status of free trade
negotiations with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which is currently chaired by Switzerland.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Swiss-Canadian relations stand on the threshold of an even brighter era -- an era linking strong commerce to
the already strong bonds of friendship," said Mr. Marchi. "The agreement Canada is negotiating with
Switzerland and other EFTA nations will form the first free trade bridge across the Atlantic into Europe."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Prior to meeting with Mr. Marchi, Mr. Couchepin will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Herb Gray. Mr. Couchepin
will also meet with senior government officials, including Bill Graham, Chairman of the Standing Committee on
Foreign Affairs and International Trade; James Scott Peterson, Secretary of State (International Financial
Institutions); and John Harvard, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. Following
his visit to Ottawa, </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Couchepin will travel to Toronto and Montreal to meet with the business communities in both regions.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Leslie Swartman</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</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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