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<title>SECRETARY OF STATE PARADIS EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH RESULTS OF PARIS VISIT IN PREPARATION FOR BEIRUT SUMMIT</title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong>July 25, 2002 <em>(5:00 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 85</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>SECRETARY OF STATE PARADIS EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH RESULTS OF
PARIS VISIT IN PREPARATION FOR BEIRUT SUMMIT</strong></font></p>
<p>Denis Paradis, Secretary of State for Latin America, Africa and La Francophonie, expressed satisfaction with a series of
interviews held today in Paris, where he met with his counterpart, Pierre-André Wiltzer, Minister-delegate for Cooperation
and La Francophonie, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie, and
Roger Dehaybe, General Administrator of the Intergovernmental Agency of La Francophonie.</p>
<p>In his interview with Mr. Wiltzer, Mr. Paradis again expressed his enthusiasm for cooperation between Canada and France.
"France and Canada are, of course, two key partners in La Francophonie internationally. We have a unique form of
cooperation, and our meeting has enabled us to gain new insights into many issues related to La Francophonie, particularly
cultural dialogue, the primary theme of the next Francophonie Summit, which will take place in Beirut this fall."</p>
<p>The Secretary of State also discussed preparations for the IX Francophonie Summit in his talks with Messrs. Boutros-Ghali
and Dehaybe, touching on cultural diversity and the advances made by La Francophonie in the areas of democracy and
rights and freedoms. He especially emphasized the importance of following up on the G8 Action Plan for Africa, a
Canadian priority.</p>
<p>Mr. Paradis also proposed combining the initiatives of La Francophonie and the Organization of American States in
promoting sustainable democracy, social stability and economic development in Haiti.</p>
<p>For further information on La Francophonie, please visit the Department's Web site at:</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221021528/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/foreignp/francophonie/menu-e.htm">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/foreignp/francophonie/menu-e.htm</a></p>
<p>- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Laurence Marquis</p>
<p>Office of the Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) (Francophonie)</p>
<p>(613) 992-6578</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221021528/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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