May 7, 1996 No. 87

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CANADA

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced today that his German counterpart, Mr. Klaus Kinkel, will visit Ottawa on May 7 and 8.

"In the course of this visit, I will be talking with Mr. Kinkel about bilateral issues and other subjects of common interest, such as European security, the situation in the former Yugoslavia and UN reform," said Mr. Axworthy, who will host a working dinner this evening for Mr. Kinkel.

This will be the first meeting between the two ministers, who will also discuss the intensification of trans-Atlantic relations, a subject of particular interest to Mr. Kinkel. A Canada-Germany partnership, formed last fall, provided the initial impetus for present discussions aimed at formulating a Canada-EU policy statement and an action plan to strengthen political and economic ties between Canada and the EU.

Tomorrow morning, the German Foreign Minister will meet with Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. At 9:30 a.m., immediately after this meeting, Mr. Kinkel and Mr. Axworthy will be available to the media outside room 311-S, Centre Block.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Catherine Lappe

Director of Communications

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874