Prime Minister of Iceland to Visit Canada

March 31, 2000
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that the Prime Minister of Iceland, David Oddsson, will visit Canada from April 4 to 7, 2000. Prime Minister Oddsson will be accompanied by senior officials of his government and a business delegation.

"I look forward to meeting with Prime Minister Oddsson and enhancing our bilateral relations," said the Prime Minister. "I especially look forward to marking our unique historical ties, that stretch back 1,000 years to the Viking explorers, and are perhaps best symbolized by the founding of ‘New Iceland' in what is now Gimli, Manitoba."

Prime Minister Oddsson will join Prime Minister Chrétien at a millennium celebration commemorating the 1000th anniversary of Icelandic explorations in North America. This is the inaugural event in a series of Icelandic-Canadian celebrations being held across Canada this year. The event takes place at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec, on April 6.

In Ottawa, the two Prime Ministers will meet to discuss a range of issues including Canada-Iceland business relations and negotiations on a free trade agreement between Canada and the European Free Trade Association. In addition, they will discuss cooperation in international organizations such as the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

While in Ottawa, Mr. Oddsson will also meet with Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Speaker of the House of Commons, Gilbert Parent, and will attend luncheon given by the Icelandic-American Chamber of Commerce.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555