Minister to meet with the French Prefect of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon tomorrow

Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs, Tom Lush, will meet with the French Prefect of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon Mr.Claude Valleix tomorrow.

The meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, April 4, at the offices of Intergovernmental Affairs, 7^th Floor, East Block, Confederation Building.

This is Mr. Valleix�s first visit to Newfoundland and Labrador since his appointment in November 2002. He will be accompanied by Mr. Michel Freymuth, Consul-General for France in Moncton New Brunswick. While in the province, they will pay courtesy visits to make initial contact with various ministers, government agencies, and other agencies of interest.

The visit will reinforce the work of the Canada/France Joint Commission on Regional Cooperation which was created to further enhance cooperation between the Atlantic Provinces and the French territory of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.

Minister Lush stated, "I am pleased to welcome Mr. Valleix on his first visit to Newfoundland and Labrador and look forward to continuing our discussions to explore new opportunities that will be of mutual benefit to both jurisdictions."

The minister noted, "There has been a long standing history of cooperation between Newfoundland and Labrador and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, and I am encouraged at the progress we have made in the areas of tourism, aquaculture, health care, economic development, and forest preservation. This meeting will enable us to discuss how we can enhance our efforts as we continue to build on our relationship with the French territory."

There will be a brief media opportunity prior to the meeting at 9:00 a.m., in the boardroom of Intergovernmental Affairs, 7^th Floor, East Block, Confederation Building.

Media contact: Tom Hann, Communications, (709) 729-1341

2003 04 03                                       3:25 p.m.