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<title>GRAHAM TO PARTICIPATE IN CANADA-EUFOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>October 3, 2003 <em>(12:45 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 147</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>GRAHAM TO PARTICIPATE IN CANADA-EU</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced that he will participate in the Canada-European Union (EU) Foreign
Ministers' meeting in Rome, Italy, on October 6. This meeting is part of the ongoing Trans-Atlantic Dialogue that takes
place twice yearly between Canada and the European Union.</p>
<p>"The trans-Atlantic relationship is fundamental to the maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity in the world," said
Minister Graham. "In a time of continued international tension, it is imperative that we work ever more closely together to
ensure the effectiveness of multilateral solutions to challenges in Iraq, North Korea and the Middle East."</p>
<p>Minister Graham will meet with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, representing the EU Presidency, EU High
Representative Javier Solana, and EU Commissioner for External Relations Christopher Patten to discuss a range of issues,
including Canada-EU relations, Canada-EU perspectives on important global issues, such as Iraq and North Korea, UN
reform and the implications of the <em>Responsibility to Protect</em> report.</p>
<p>At the same time, Minister Graham will use this opportunity to meet with Minister Frattini to discuss bilateral and
multilateral issues of mutual interest to Canada and Italy, including increased trade and investment between the two
countries. </p>
<p>The EU is Canada's second most important trading partner and second largest source of foreign investment. In 2002,
Canada-EU trade in goods and services totalled $78.8 billion, and Canadian goods and services exported to the EU were
valued at $31.1 billion. Canadian exports to Italy represented just under $1.5 billion.</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/20070221183118/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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