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<title>GRAHAM TO ATTEND G8 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>March 16, 2003 <em>(1:05 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 63</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>GRAHAM TO ATTEND G8 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING </strong></font></p>
<p><strong></strong>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced that he will participate in the upcoming G8 Foreign Ministers'
Meeting taking place in Paris, France, from May 22 to 23.</p>
<p>"The G8 Foreign Ministers' Meeting is a valuable process that encourages common approaches on urgent global, regional
and security issues," said Mr. Graham. "Given the serious developments that have taken place over the past year in the
Middle East and Asia, as well as the continuing threats posed by weapons proliferation and terrorism, it is more important
than ever for G8 countries to coordinate action on these files."</p>
<p>At this year's meeting, foreign ministers will focus on postwar reconstruction in Iraq, combatting international terrorism
and controlling the proliferation of conventional arms and weapons of mass destruction. They will also review situations in
the Middle East and Asia, including developments on the Korean Peninsula and the relationship between India and
Pakistan. Finally, ministers will be reviewing recent developments in Afghanistan and Colombia.</p>
<p>G8 members include Canada, the European Union (participates as a non-hosting member), France, Germany, Italy, Japan,
Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The results of this year's meeting will inform G8 leaders' deliberations
at their annual summit, taking place from June 1 to 3 in Evian, France. </p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<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/20070221182750/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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