Canadian Federal Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism calls on the Foreign Minister

(2009-01-10) Mr. Jason Kenney, Canadian Federal Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism called on Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi today. The Canadian Minister is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Minister for Labour and Manpower.

Minister Kenney and the Foreign Minister discussed various aspects of Pakistan-Canada bilateral relations with particular reference to immigration issues, employment of Pakistani manpower in Canada, investment in Pakistan, the role of Pakistani community in Canada, regional situation and other issues of mutual interest.

The Foreign Minister appreciated the continued Canadian assistance to Pakistan for human resource development and capacity building. He also appreciated corporation between the two countries for improving border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Minister Kenney informed that Canada has decided to double CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) assistance for Pakistan to C$ 60 million mainly for local government, basic health care for girls and primary education. In addition, Canada will also support projects under the Friends of Pakistan Forum.

Foreign Minister Qureshi and Minister Kenney also discussed the post-Mumbai tension between Pakistan and India. The Canadian Minister expressed the hope that both Pakistan and India would be able to overcome the current tensions and resolve their differences peacefully.

Islamabad
10 January 2009

020/2009