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<title>GRAHAM OPENS CANADIAN EMBASSY IN ICELAND</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>May 15, 2002 <em>(1:00 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 52</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>GRAHAM OPENS CANADIAN EMBASSY IN ICELAND</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today opened the new Canadian Embassy in Reykjavik, Iceland. The ceremony was
attended by Prime Minister David Oddsson and Minister of Foreign Affairs Halldor Asgrimsson of Iceland.</p>
<p>"Canada and Iceland share a history of strong relations," said Minister Graham. "We have seen eye-to-eye on many
important foreign policy issues, and we value multilateral engagement through such forums as NATO, of which we are
both founding members and close partners, and the Arctic Council, over which Iceland will preside beginning in October. It
is my hope that expanding our diplomatic links in this way can provide impetus for new strategic alliances and ventures."</p>
<p>The opening of the embassy helps to consolidate diplomatic relations between Canada and Iceland, which were given an
added boost in May 2001 when Minister Asgrimsson inaugurated the Icelandic embassy in Ottawa.</p>
<p>In addition to the close political ties held by Canada and Iceland, the two nations enjoy a flourishing trading relationship
dominated by the fisheries industry, and close cultural linkages strengthened by over 150,000 Canadians of Icelandic
origin.</p>
<p>- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</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/20070221133227/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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