Canada Hosts Francophonie Summit

Prime Minister Stephen Harper chaired the 12th Francophonie Summit in Quebec City, held October 17-19, with some 50 heads of state and government, the Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) and the Secretary-General of the United Nations in attendance.

This Summit provided a timely opportunity to discuss the international economic and financial crisis, during which President of France Nikola Sarkozy called for OIF member country solidarity. Also discussed were four other major issues within La Francophonie: democracy and the rule of law, economic governance, the environment and the French language. The Quebec Declaration was accepted unanimously and became the basis document for the summit’s proceedings and debates.

During his opening address, the Prime Minister encouraged the heads of state and government to study measures designed to build the OIF’s capacities in the areas of preventive diplomacy and mediation.

During discussion on regional problems and issues addressed in the declaration, the OIF member countries upheld the position of Georgia’s sovereignty within the context of internationally recognized borders and expectation for speedy resolution of the Georgian-Russian conflict based on the unity and territorial integrity of Georgia. Georgia has observer country status at the OIF. A plenary meeting provided information on the conflict, during which Georgia’s Vice President Georgiy Baramidze spoke and thanked summit participants for their support and position on Georgia.

Ukraine has observer country status at the OIF and was represented by Ihor Ostash, Ukraine’s Ambassador in Canada.

The governments of Canada and Quebec co-hosted the Summit, and New Brunswick was a partner in organizing the event.