Close X
Thursday, January 16, 2025
ADVT 
National

Baird declines invite for special Syria meeting at Davos that includes Iran

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 21 Jan, 2015 02:18 PM

    OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird plans to take a pass on this week's high-level meeting, chaired by his Norwegian counterpart, on the future of Syria at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

    However, Baird will attend separate sessions Thursday on the crisis in Ukraine and a meeting focused on the instability being caused by militants in Iraq and Syria.

    The details are contained in a copy of Baird's updated itinerary obtained by The Canadian Press.

    Baird was among two dozen international figures invited to what was billed as a make-or-break discussion on Syria, along with representatives from Iraq, Jordan, France, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and the League of Arab States.

    Also on the guest list is Iran's foreign minister. Canada has severed relations with Iran, a country that's often a target for criticism from Baird.

    Baird's office won't discuss the details of his four days in Davos, but his itinerary says he will have roundtable discussions with some unnamed chief executives while the Norway-led talks on Syria are taking place.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Key recommendations from the Ashley Smith jury and CSC responses

    Key recommendations from the Ashley Smith jury and CSC responses
    TORONTO — Some key recommendations from the Ashley Smith jury and responses from Correctional Service of Canada:

    Key recommendations from the Ashley Smith jury and CSC responses

    Lawyer for journalist imprisoned in Cairo call on Canada to secure his release

    Lawyer for journalist imprisoned in Cairo call on Canada to secure his release
    TORONTO — Lawyers for an Egyptian-Canadian journalist imprisoned in Cairo have written to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, imploring him to take action that would help secure the man's release.

    Lawyer for journalist imprisoned in Cairo call on Canada to secure his release

    Senators find mistakes in bill, but decide to go ahead and pass it anyway

    Senators find mistakes in bill, but decide to go ahead and pass it anyway
    OTTAWA — The Conservative-dominated Senate is poised to pass a bill targeting labour unions, despite discovering it contains inadvertent drafting errors that must be fixed.

    Senators find mistakes in bill, but decide to go ahead and pass it anyway

    Veteran NDP MP, deputy leader Libby Davies bows out of federal politics

    Veteran NDP MP, deputy leader Libby Davies bows out of federal politics
    OTTAWA — NDP stalwart Libby Davies will not seek re-election next year.

    Veteran NDP MP, deputy leader Libby Davies bows out of federal politics

    RCMP investigates off-base death of a soldier in New Brunswick

    RCMP investigates off-base death of a soldier in New Brunswick
    OROMOCTO, N.B. — A military spokesman says the RCMP has informed the Canadian Forces that the death of a soldier in New Brunswick was not the result of foul play.

    RCMP investigates off-base death of a soldier in New Brunswick

    Calgary man pleads guilty to animal cruelty; taped shut mouths of dog and cat

    Calgary man pleads guilty to animal cruelty; taped shut mouths of dog and cat
    CALGARY — A Calgary man has pleaded guilty to two charges related to animal cruelty involving a dog and cat that had their mouths taped shut.

    Calgary man pleads guilty to animal cruelty; taped shut mouths of dog and cat