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<title>GRAHAM TO MEET WITH MEMBERS OF NEW BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT</title>
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<p><font size="-1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>January 17, 2003 <em>(1:15 p.m. EST)</em> No. 8</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>GRAHAM TO MEET WITH MEMBERS OF NEW BRAZILIAN GOVERNMENT</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced that he will be in Brasilia, Brazil, on January 20 and 21, to meet his
Brazilian counterpart Foreign Minister Celso Amorim and other newly appointed members of the government of President
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.</p>
<p>"We consider our relationship with Brazil to be extremely important," said Minister Graham. "The purpose of my trip is to
strengthen and expand the ties that are already well in place between our two countries. I am pleased to offer to the new
administration Canada's warm congratulations and convey our desire to work together on issues of mutual interest."</p>
<p>Minister Graham's discussions with Minister Amorim on January 21 and with other Brazilian officials will touch on
bilateral and multilateral issues, including regional security, human rights, trade and human security.</p>
<p>Canada and Brazil are partners in multilateral organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS). Canada
has pledged to work closely with Brazil and other OAS partners to seek solutions to regional challenges and help strengthen
and safeguard democracy in the region.</p>
<p>Brazil is also Canada's largest trading partner in South America, with $2.4 billion in two-way trade in 2001. The bilateral
relationship has expanded significantly over the last several years with the two countries cooperating in areas such as
aboriginal affairs, human rights, federalism, environment, labour, democratic institution building, international de-mining,
sports and education.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
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<p>Isabelle Savard</p>
<p>Director of Communications</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</p>
<p>(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221101937/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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