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<title>KNUTSON TO VISIT CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST EUROPE</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>October 10, 2003 <em>(10:10 a.m. EDT)</em> No. 158</strong></font><font size="+1"></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>KNUTSON TO VISIT CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST EUROPE</strong></font></p>
<p>Secretary of State (Central and Eastern Europe and Middle East) Gar Knutson will visit Slovenia, Croatia and Slovakia, as
well as the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), from October 12 to 17, 2003.
Mr. Knutson will be accompanied by a Canadian business delegation. </p>
<p>"Slovenia, Croatia and Slovakia all hold commercial potential for the Canadian business community. With each nation
possessing a long and distinguished trading history and a promising economic future, the time is right to explore the
business opportunities that exist in this region," said Mr. Knutson. "This visit will also focus on strengthening the good
relationships established by the Canadian Slovene, Croat and Slovak communities with their home countries."</p>
<p>The Canadian business delegation accompanying Mr. Knutson represents various industrial sectors including engineering
and construction, consulting services, environment and manufacturing.</p>
<p>In Vienna, Mr. Knutson will meet senior OSCE officials and OSCE ambassadors from countries in the region. The OSCE
is the world's largest regional security organization, with 55 participating states including Canada. It works to build security
and prevent conflict through arms control, preventive diplomacy, confidence- and security-building measures, and the
promotion of human rights, good governance and market economies. Mr. Knutson will be addressing all of these issues in
his meetings.</p>
<p>On the last leg of his visit, Mr. Knutson will be in Slovakia, where he will meet Slovak President Rudolf Schuster to
discuss Canada-Slovak relations. Mr. Knutson will also have the opportunity to meet with Canadian companies attending a
major NATO trade show in Nitra.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Susan McConnell</p>
<p>Special Assistant to the Secretary of State (Central and Eastern Europe and</p>
<p>Middle East)</p>
<p>(613) 990-7769</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/20070221182856/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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