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We have just had
a very friendly and very productive
meeting with John Baird. Our discussions
confirmed that
France and Canada
have strongly similar views
on the responses to be made to international crises.
We talked about the Sahel, we talked
about Syria, we talked about Iran. On the
Syria issue in particular, we
decided to strengthen our cooperation on the ground.
We also
discussed
our shared desire for the European Union
and Canada to conclude, if possible by the end of the
year, the negotiations on their Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
This is a very ambitious agreement,
but it is a desirable one, and it is expected be an asset
for the priority that each of us has,
namely growth, employment on both sides of the Atlantic.
This discussion was also an opportunity
to confirm the quality of the partnership between Canada
and France. We have a very strong
friendship. We have very strong economic,
cultural and human relations, all of which must
lead us to contemplate enhanced cooperation,
including with regard
to cross-investments, youths and, in general, all economic
issues. Canada's Prime Minister
will meet with the President of the Republic in two days' time.
Now, the Francophonie Summit in Kinshasa and
we will report the content of our conversations to our two leaders,
but I can say that this has been an honour
and a pleasure, as well as a very friendly meeting,
this opportunity to welcome
my Canadian counterpart who knows
that he is at home here. The Hon. John Baird: Thank you very much.
Thank you for coming. I would like to begin by
warmly thanking my friend, Minister Fabius,
for his welcome and the excellent work meeting that we had
today. I think this was our most formal
meeting. We had already met three or four times on the
margins of international meetings. Canada and France are
allies, partners, friends.
It is important to also take the time to compare our methods,
identify what we (inaudible -- technical difficulties) do together
to meet the considerable challenges facing us.
I am, of course, thinking of the international situation, what is
happening in Syria and Mali is of concern to us, France
and Canada are side by side in the necessary
struggle that we must wage to defend human rights
in the world. I might add, the situation in
Iran. We had a productive and very helpful
discussion on all these issues. France's leadership
on the Syria issue is very much
appreciated. I believe that you took on the leadership role only
one or two weeks after your appointment, and it is really,
it is very welcome in Canada and everywhere.
But the relationship between France and Canada, as you know, is also
a day-to-day relationship that must satisfy the current needs
of all of Canada's and France's citizens. That is why
we strongly believe in deepening economic
and commercial ties between Canada, France and the European
Union. I am confident that this
is how we can best address the economic challenges of our countries
and citizens. We
spoke quickly with Mr. Fabius and I will talk
about it more tomorrow with the Minister Delegate to European Affairs, Mr.
Cazeneuve. I might add the important
youth mobility agreement between France and Canada that is
soon to be renewed and modernized. So this meeting
enabled us once again to reaffirm
the strength of the relationship between France and Canada.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President François Hollande had
the opportunity to tell each other so in the hours and days
following the election of France's new president.
Today, we once again reaffirm our intention
to work together to address the issues of the day,
looking forward. I appreciate
the warm welcome and the very good meeting we had.