State Visit to Canada by the President of the Republic of Colombia

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced today that Colombian President Andrés Pastrana will visit Canada from May 30 to June 2 at the invitation of Governor General Roméo LeBlanc. President Pastrana will be accompanied by several members of his cabinet as well as a delegation of Colombian business people.

Canada is delighted to welcome Colombia's President. This will mark the first official visit by a Colombian head of state," said the Prime Minister. "President Pastrana's visit is an excellent opportunity to strengthen Canada's friendship with one of our close neighbours in the hemisphere."

Canada and Colombia have expanded their cooperation through the Organization of American States, the United Nations and the Summit of the Americas process as a result of their shared concerns about drugs, the environment and democratic development. In 1997-98, Canadian development assistance to Colombia totalled about $15 million, including human rights and democratic development projects, human rights training for senior Colombian police officials, training in international humanitarian law, and initiatives on the environment and gender equality.

Governor General Roméo LeBlanc will receive President Pastrana on May 30. That evening, Mr. Pastrana will be the guest of honour at the 5th Montreal Conference. The next day, Mr. Pastrana will meet with the Prime Minister and a number of Canadian ministers. He will also give a talk on the Colombian peace process at the University of Ottawa and meet with members of non-governmental organizations.

On June 1, President Pastrana will be in Toronto and June 2, Calgary, where he will attend other trade-related events.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555