<html>
<head>
<meta name="generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 10">
<meta http-equiv="content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<style>
p
{
margin-top: 0px;
margin-bottom: 1px
}
body
{
font-family: "Arial", sans-serif;
font-size: 12pt;
font-weight: normal;
font-style: normal
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">November 23, 2005 <i>(10:35 a.m. EST)</i><br>
No. 231</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">CANADA AND ALGERIA IN DISCUSSIONS TO </span></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">INTRODUCE AIR SERVICE BETWEEN BOTH COUNTRIES</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, along with International Trade Minister Jim
Peterson and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pierre Pettigrew, today announced that the
Government of Canada is prepared to discuss with Algeria the possibility of direct air
service between Algeria and Canada.</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Direct air services between Canada and Algeria would benefit both Canadian and
Algerian travellers,” said Mr. Lapierre. “They would facilitate more convenient travel and
provide more travel options while meeting our safety and security requirements.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Algeria is Canada’s largest trading partner in Africa and the Middle East-North African
region,” said Minister Peterson. “A direct air link would help strengthen Canada’s
commercial ties with Algeria and the Maghreb region.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada has an excellent, long-standing relationship with Algeria. I am particularly
pleased to announce this decision, on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of our
diplomatic relations with Algeria,” said Minister Pettigrew. “Direct flights would foster
relations between Canada and Algeria and would increase dialogue on larger issues in
the region.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Canadian officials will be working with Algerian officials to find a framework that would
permit direct air services between both countries. Canada will ensure that any air
service meets Canadian and international safety, security, customs and immigration
requirements. </span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">With two-way trade valued at $3.4 billion annually, Algeria is Canada’s largest
economic partner in Africa and the Middle East. </span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Jacqueline LaRocque<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of International Trade<br>
(613) 992-7332</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">James Christoff<br>
Press Secretary<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851 </span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Irène Marcheterre<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Transport<br>
(613) 991-0700</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070220185525/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></span></p>
</body>
</html>
