PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

April 10, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that he will visit Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from April 13 to 15, 2003, to meet President Rafael Hipólito Mejía Domínguez.

"Canada and the Dominican Republic have strong ties," said the Prime Minister. "We look forward to continued growth in trade, investment and tourism between our two countries and our work together on the Free Trade Area of the Americas and other regional and hemispheric issues of mutual interest."

Prime Minister Chrétien's discussion with President Mejía will touch on bilateral and multilateral issues, including border development, investment programs and trade. The Prime Minister will also receive an honorary doctorate in recognition of Canada's contributions to the hemisphere and meet with the business community.

Canada and the Dominican Republic have a flourishing partnership and cooperate in a number of international fora such as the Organization of American States, the Summit of the Americas process, and the World Trade Organization. The Dominican Republic is one of Canada's largest trading partners in the Caribbean, with $245 million in two-way trade in 2002.

The two leaders met most recently in Ottawa, Canada in November 2002.

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