Canada to host G8 foreign ministers in Quebec city

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada will host a meeting of G8 foreign ministers in March 2010 in the French-speaking province of Quebec, laying the groundwork for a leaders' summit in June of next year.

Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon announced on Friday the ministers will gather in Gatineau, Quebec, a small city located on the banks of the Ottawa River, which separates it from the nation's capital and province of Ontario.

"The ministers will discuss the major issues that threaten international peace and security, while continuing to promote respect for freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law," the department of foreign affairs said in a statement.

G8 heads of state will meet near Toronto in Ontario's Muskoka district in June. Also in June, Canada will co-chair with South Korea a summit of the G20 wealthy and developing nations.

The G8 consists of the United States, Canada, Japan, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Russia. The G20 is the G8 plus emerging powers such as China, India, Brazil and others that combined represent about 90 percent of global gross national product.

(Reporting by Louise Egan; Editing by Jeffrey Hodgson)