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<p><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">May 14, 2006 <i>(11:25 p.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 53</span></span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">ST. BONIFACE CONFERENCE A SUCCESS FOR LA FRANCOPHONIE</span></span></p>
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<p>Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official
Languages Josée Verner today expressed her high level of satisfaction with the efforts
and the outcome of the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie on conflict
prevention and human security, which concluded today in St. Boniface, Manitoba.
Participants adopted the St. Boniface Declaration, which focuses on the potential of La
Francophonie to prevent and resolve conflicts.</p>
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<p>“The St. Boniface Declaration highlights several aspects of conflict prevention and
human security and should promote La Francophonie’s contribution to the great
international debates of the day through a more sustained discussion with other
international, multilateral, regional and transnational institutions,” stated Minister Verner.
The Minister added that the Declaration will be presented to heads of state and
government at the 11th Summit of La Francophonie, to be held in Bucharest, Romania,
from September 25 to 29, 2006.</p>
<br>
<p>“I would particularly like to express my thanks to the Franco-Manitoban community and
Manitoba provincial authorities for the warm welcome they extended to all participants.
The title of the Declaration itself pays tribute to this part of Canada.”</p>
<br>
<p>“The Canadian government is proud of this initiative, its participation in this conference
and the advances made in St. Boniface,” the Minister added. “Canada, along with La
Francophonie, has achieved its objectives of promoting La Francophonie’s
conflict-prevention activities and enhancing La Francophonie’s contribution to the
international community’s debate on human security. It is civil society in all countries of
La Francophonie who will benefit.”</p>
<br>
<p>The Conference, a Canadian initiative, brought together the Secretary-General of the
International Organization of La Francophonie, Abdou Diouf, and more than 200
delegates led by foreign affairs ministers of the countries of La Francophonie. Foreign
Affairs Minister Peter MacKay led the Canadian delegation.</p>
<br>
<p>The International Organization of La Francophonie is made up of 49 member states
and participating governments, four associate states and 10 observer states. </p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
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<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221012648/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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