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<title>VISIT TO CANADA OF DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>January 23, 2003 <em>(10:20 a.m. EST)</em> No. 12</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>VISIT TO CANADA OF DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER
OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mladen Ivanic of
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is visiting Canada from January 22 to 28, 2003. Mr. Graham will meet with Mr. Ivanic on
January 24.</p>
<p>"We warmly welcome the first visit to Canada by a Bosnian foreign minister," said Mr. Graham. "Canada strongly supports
Bosnia's continued progress on reforms and respect for diversity. I look forward to discussions that will focus on common
peacebuilding efforts and security cooperation in the Balkans, as well as enhancing bilateral relations between our
countries."</p>
<p>During their meeting, the two ministers will discuss the role of the Canadian peacekeeping mission in BiH, as democratic
reforms continue and as Bosnia looks forward to eventual inclusion in key Euro-Atlantic institutions.</p>
<p>Canada has provided contingents of between 1,000 and 2,000 troops to Bosnia for over a decade, and currently has 1,270
soldiers there. Canada has also provided over $100 million for landmine clearance, health care and support for good
governance, through the Canadian International Development Agency.</p>
<p>In Ottawa, Minister Ivanic will also meet with International Cooperation Minister Susan Whelan and National Defence
Minister John McCallum.</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/20070221182805/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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