Bernard Kouchner met with Lawrence Cannon

Bernard Kouchner, French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs,
met with his Canadian counterpart, Lawrence Cannon,
on April 2, 2009

On April 2, 2009, Bernard Kouchner, French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, met with his Canadian counterpart, Lawrence Cannon. The two ministers discussed the current international situation within the context of the International Conference on Afghanistan, the G20 Summit and the NATO Summit. They acknowledged the benefits, the solidarity and the fraternal characteristics of Franco-Canadian relations and the similarity of their views on a large number of major global issues.

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Lawrence Cannon et Bernard Kouchner
Source : Affaires étrangères et Commerce international Canada

Bernard Kouchner and Lawrence Cannon discussed climate, economic and social issues, affecting the situation in the Arctic Ocean and surrounding countries. Bernard Kouchner stated that France is willing to take part in protecting this region and to get involved in the related international cooperation.

During this meeting, the French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs took the opportunity to remind the Canadian minister that France submitted a preliminary request for the extended continental shelf for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. France would like to reach a mutually beneficial management of this zone’s common interests, based on a close Franco-Canadian cooperation. Bernard Kouchner expressed France’s position on this issue, stating that the agreement aims to reinforce the economic integration of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon in its regional environment.

The ministers also discussed the next European Union-Canada Summit, which will be held in Prague and which will be an opportunity to evaluate the progress made in establishing a more detailed economic agreement.

At the end of this warm and friendly meeting, Bernard Kouchner and Lawrence Cannon both agreed on the importance of strengthening the Franco-Canadian economic partnership. The French minister accepted Lawrence Cannon’s invitation to visit Ottawa on June 8, 2009, before going to Montreal on June 9, 2009, for the International Economic Forum of the Americas.

Last modified on 15/04/2009

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