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<title>SIGNING OF A FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDINGCONCERNING THE MONCTON SUMMIT</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">May 15, 1998 No. 124</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">SIGNING OF A FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CONCERNING THE MONCTON SUMMIT</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada's Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible for la
Francophonie Diane Marleau, with New Brunswick's Intergovernmental and Aboriginal
Affairs Minister Bernard Thériault, and Sylvain Simard, Quebec's Minister for
International Relations with Responsibility for la Francophonie, today signed in
Moncton a memorandum of understanding on the terms and conditions for organizing
the Eighth Francophone Summit scheduled for Moncton in September 1999.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The agreement, which sets out the financial and administrative responsibilities
of the three signing governments, was initialled during a ceremony hosted by New
Brunswick Premier Camille Thériault that inaugurated the joint Secretariat for
the Summit's organization.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"We have just laid the cornerstone in a structure that will give confidence to la
Francophonie in Canada and will give major impetus to Francophone co-operation
internationally," said Mrs. Marleau. "I am convinced that the Moncton Summit will
be one of the most productive and most worthwhile ever."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"The Moncton Summit provides New Brunswick and its Acadian community with a
unique opportunity to present our rich culture to the entire world," said Premier
Thériault. "My government will co-operate with our federal and Quebec partners to
make this summit a successful event that we will proudly remember forever."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"We are very proud and very pleased to be working with our partners in New
Brunswick and Canada to organize and fund the Moncton Summit," said Minister
Simard. "Needless to say, Quebec will contribute as much as it can to the success
of the event, not only in terms of its commitments to la Francophonie worldwide,
but also by virtue of the historical ties between Quebec and the Acadians and the
obligation of solidarity that Quebec feels toward them."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Secretariat for the Summit's organization will be led by Fernand Landry,
assisted by six sectoral directors seconded from the federal and provincial
public services and from the private sector.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">André Doren</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible
for la Francophonie</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Tel.: (819) 997-6919</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Fax: (819) 953-2903</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Patrick Lacroix</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Premier of New Brunswick</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Tel.: (506) 453-2144</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Fax: (506) 453-7407</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Daniel Amar</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Quebec Ministry of International Relations</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Tel.: (418) 649-2319</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Fax: (418) 643-4804</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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