Statement by Minister MacKay on the Appointment of Tony Blair as Special Envoy to the Middle East

News Release

June 27, 2007
No. 88
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, today made the following statement on the appointment
of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as special envoy of the Quartet (the United
Nations, United States, European Union and Russia) to the Middle East:
“Canada congratulates Tony Blair on his appointment as special envoy to the Middle
East. With his experience and commitment to this issue, we are confident that Mr. Blair
will make an important contribution to building the conditions for a return to the peace
process. We also congratulate the Quartet members—the U.S., Russia, the EU and the
UN—for making the decision to intensify their efforts and leadership at this crucial
moment.
“Canada will offer its full support to Mr. Blair and the Quartet in order to reinvigorate the
peace process and reach the goal of a two-state solution, with Israel and a future state
of Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security.
“Canada also recognizes and applauds the leadership offered by regional partners and
the important steps taken at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, which took place on June 25
among Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak , His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan,
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud
Abbas.
“We welcome Israel’s stated intentions at that summit to transfer a portion of
Palestinian tax revenues and release Palestinian prisoners, and encourage the
Government of Israel to quickly implement these measures. We also encourage Israel
to ease restrictions on movement in and access to the West Bank.”
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca

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Statement by Minister MacKay on the Appointment of Tony Blair as Special Envoy to the Middle East

News Release

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