December 3, 1998 (9:45 a.m. EST) No. 280

MARLEAU TO PARTICIPATE IN

12TH FRANCOPHONIE MINISTERS' CONFERENCE IN ROMANIA

Minister for International Co-operation and Minister responsible for La Francophonie Diane Marleau will lead the Canadian delegation participating in the 12th Session of the Francophonie Ministers' Conference in Bucharest on December 4 and 5, 1998.

One of the key items on the Conference's agenda is the reform of the Agence de la Francophonie, which is required due to the establishment of new institutions within La Francophonie -- including the General Secretariat directed by Boutros BoutrosGhali -- as a result of the Cotonou and Hanoi summits.

"Canada energetically and expressly supports plans to reform the Agence to make it more effective and transparent," said Madame Marleau. "This is the last conference before the one immediately preceding the Moncton Summit in 1999. It will seek to guide preparations for this meeting of heads of state and heads of government, and promises to be of great importance in following up on major issues within La Francophonie."

"We will also ensure that the issues of good governance and the integration of least- advanced countries in the world trading system are included on the agenda for the Monaco Economic Summit in April 1999," she added.

At the end of the Bucharest Conference, Madame Marleau will take over as Chair of the Francophonie Ministers' Conference from His Excellency Nguyen Manh Cam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

André Doren

Office of the Minister for International Co-operation and

Minister responsible for La Francophonie

(819) 997-6919

This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca