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<title>MINISTER GRAHAM AND SUDANESE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER CONCLUDE BILATERAL DISCUSSIONS</title>
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<p><font size="+1"><strong>May 14, 2003 <em>(10:30 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 62</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>MINISTER GRAHAM AND SUDANESE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER CONCLUDE
BILATERAL DISCUSSIONS</strong></font></p>
<p>Minister of Foreign Affairs Bill Graham and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan, Mustafa Ismail,
today announced the beginning of a renewed bilateral dialogue. The ministers met on the occasion of an official visit to
Canada by Dr. Ismail, at the invitation of Mr. Graham. </p>
<p>The ministers had substantive and constructive discussions. These centred on the prospects for peace in Sudan and support
for the implementation of the peace agreement it is hoped will be reached in the coming months. The meetings included
discussion of expertise that Canada might offer in areas such as federalism and parliamentary democracy, and on practical
work that might be undertaken in support of human rights, peacebuilding and mine action in Sudan.</p>
<p>Mr. Graham welcomed today's announcement by Dr. Ismail that the Council of Ministers of Sudan had officially and
unanimously endorsed the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. The Council of Ministers transmitted the Convention to the Sudanese
parliament for ratification. </p>
<p>The ministers discussed Dr. Ismail's call on Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, during which Dr. Ismail presented the Prime
Minister with a letter from the President of Sudan, Omer Hassan Ahmed Elbashir. In the letter, which concerned the
bilateral relationship, the President reaffirmed Sudan's commitment to achieving a comprehensive and durable peace.</p>
<p>The ministers agreed to institute a practice of regular bilateral consultations, at the level of officials, to discuss bilateral
relations and matters of shared interest, including the peace process in Sudan, human rights, and the implementation in
Sudan of the principles and programs contained in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). </p>
<p>Canada has been a leader in international engagement in support of NEPAD, including through the adoption at the G8
Summit in Kananaskis of an Africa Action Plan in support of NEPAD. In the Action Plan, G8 partners undertake to devote
further attention to efforts to bring peace to Sudan.</p>
<p>The discussions concluded with a commitment by Canada to continue work toward the establishment of a just and durable
peace in Sudan, and with an invitation by Dr. Ismail for a return visit to Sudan by Mr. Graham. Mr. Graham was
accompanied by Senator Mobina Jaffer, his Special Envoy for the Sudan Peace Process.</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/20071206032234/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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