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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>March 31, 2004 <em>(10:00 a.m. EST)</em> No. 50</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>GRAHAM TO ATTEND NATO MEETING</strong></font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today announced that he will attend the
enlargement ceremony and informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels,
Belgium, on April 2.</p>
<p>"Canada is pleased to welcome seven new members into NATO," said Minister
Graham. "Enlargement, one of NATO's most important adaptations to the new security
environment, will extend the Euro-Atlantic zone of democracy, stability and prosperity."</p>
<p>This is the first-ever informal NATO Foreign Ministerial. The ministers will prepare for
the upcoming NATO Istanbul Summit in June 2004, and will touch on political
developments and ongoing initiatives to respond to security challenges in Afghanistan
and the Balkans.</p>
<p>Minister Graham will attend the NATO Foreign Affairs Ministerial following his
participation in the International Conference on Afghanistan, currently taking place in
Berlin, Germany. The Berlin conference is providing an opportunity for the Government
of Afghanistan and the international community to revisit the country's plans and
requirements as it moves toward a peaceful future.</p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Isabelle Savard<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071207022101/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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