July 10, 2008
No. 159
The Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport), will visit Belize and Guatemala from July 10 to 16, 2008, as part of Canada’s renewed engagement in the Americas.
“Belize and Guatemala are important partners for Canada in Central America and in multilateral forums such as the Organization of American States,” said Secretary of State Guergis. “This trip will reinforce our commitment to playing a larger role in the Americas, and provide an excellent opportunity to exchange views on crucial issues of security, prosperity, and the core values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
While in Belize, the Secretary of State is scheduled to meet with Sir Colville Young, Governor General; Dean Barrow, Prime Minister; Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; and other key government officials. She will also visit youth projects supported by Canada, and the office of the Organization of American States in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone.
In Guatemala, Secretary of State Guergis is scheduled to meet with President Álvaro Colom and Haroldo Rodas, Minister of External Relations, and with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú. Ms. Guergis will also meet with national and local government officials, and representatives of the Canadian business and investing communities. In addition, she will visit a Habitat for Humanity project supported by Canadian volunteers.
Canada’s engagement with Guatemala includes strong economic ties as well as cooperation on the international response in Haiti, where Guatemalan and Canadian personnel are working together.
For further information on Canada’s bilateral relations with Belize and Guatemala, please consult the following websites:
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/geo/belize-en.aspx
http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/geo/guatemala-en.aspx
Canadian International Development Agency
www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/belize-e
www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/guatemala-e
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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
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx
