September 25, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario

PRESIDENT OF AFGHANISTAN TO VISIT CANADA

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that the President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, will visit Ottawa on September 27, 2003. He will be accompanied by the Afghan Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah.

"Canada is making a real difference in Afghanistan through its active involvement in every aspect of nation building", said the Prime Minister. "Our significant contributions in the areas of defence, development and diplomacy are assisting the courageous efforts of President Karzai and his government to improve the lives of Afghan citizens and fully reintegrate Afghanistan into the international community."

In Ottawa, the President will meet with Prime Minister Chrétien, Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham, Defence Minister John McCallum, and the Minister for International Cooperation, Susan Whelan.

In their meetings, the Prime Minister and President will discuss regional and domestic security, development issues, the Afghan peace process, and explore ways of further strengthening bilateral relations.

In addition to its significant military contribution in Afghanistan – including 2 100 Canadian Forces personnel supporting the International Security Assistance Force – Canada will also contribute $250 million toward reconstruction and humanitarian assistance in 2003 and 2004. Canada's new embassy in Kabul became operational on August 6, 2003.

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