State Visit of the President of Italy to Canada

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced today that the President of Italy, His Excellency Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, will pay a state visit to Canada from June 24 to 28, on the invitation of Governor General Roméo LeBlanc.

"The ties between Canada and Italy are very close, thanks in no small part to the size and vibrancy of the Italian Canadian community. We hope that our relations, which are already so rich and varied, will continue to deepen and broaden," said Mr. Chrétien. "President Scalfaro's visit will allow us to pursue efforts to increase trade between our two countries and to strengthen our historic partnership in multilateral affairs and transatlantic relations."

In Ottawa, President Scalfaro will be the guest of Governor General LeBlanc and will have a working session with Prime Minister Chrétien. In Toronto he will meet with Sergio Marchi, Federal Minister for International Trade. In Montreal, President Scalfaro will meet with Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard and with Federal Minister of Public Works and Government Services Alfonso Gagliano. The President's visit will also include a number of meetings with representatives of the Italian Canadian community.

Mr. Scalfaro will be accompanied by Lamberto Dini, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, who will have a working session with Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy.

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