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<title>FOREIGN MINISTER OF FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA TO VISIT CANADA</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>February 14, 2003 <em>(3:10 p.m. EST)</em> No. 19</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>FOREIGN MINISTER OF FORMER YUGOSLAV </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA TO VISIT CANADA</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced that Macedonian Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva will visit Canada
from February 15 to 19, 2003. Mr. Graham will meet with Ms. Mitreva on February 17.</p>
<p>"We welcome this visit to Canada by the Macedonian Foreign Minister," said Mr. Graham. "I look forward to discussions
that will focus on Balkan stability, enhancing bilateral relations, and the economic, political and legal reforms necessary for
Macedonia's future integration into the Euro-Atlantic system."</p>
<p>Canada's recent cooperation with Macedonia has included technical and humanitarian assistance through the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA), as well as the deployment of Ambassador Craig Jenness, who heads the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, and the provision of Canadian
forces in 2001 to assist in the NATO-led mission, Operation Essential Harvest. Bilateral trade ties are also beginning to
expand. </p>
<p>In Ottawa, Minister Mitreva will also meet with National Defence Minister John McCallum and with the Standing
Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. In Toronto, she will meet with representatives of the Macedonian-Canadian community.</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/20071205231755/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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