PRIME MINISTER OF PORTUGAL TO VISIT CANADA

June 5, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced today that the Prime Minister of Portugal, Durão Barroso, will visit Ottawa on June 8 and 9, 2003. Prime Minister Barroso will be accompanied by Minister of the Economy, Carlos Tavares.

"Portugal and Canada share a longstanding friendship and work together in a number of key multilateral organizations," said the Prime Minister. "We value this opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Portuguese immigration to Canada, and the enormous contribution that Portuguese-Canadians have made to life in this country."

The two Prime Ministers are expected to discuss ways to enhance relations between the two countries, including trade and investment ties, as well as common interests in development in Africa and current events in Europe and the world.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first wave of significant immigration to Canada from Portugal. Since May 1953, when the first contingent of 85 Portuguese workers arrived in Halifax to take up agricultural and railway contracts, the Portuguese-Canadian community has grown to over 350,000 individuals. Events and activities have been organized across the country to celebrate the anniversary.

This is Prime Minister Barroso's first official visit to Canada.

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