France/Canada

"Ambitious economic partnership" for EU and Canada

Article published on the 2008-10-17 Latest update 2008-10-18 14:16 TU

The site of the XII Sommet de la Francophonie in Quebec City
(Photo: Reuters)

The French president has promised a special economic partnership with Canada during a visit to attend a summit of French-speaking countries. Nicolas Sarkozy was also in Canada to meet with newly re-elected Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The 12th Francophonie summit is attended by leaders from some 30 French-speaking nations. The four main themes of this year's event are the environment, the economy, democracy and the rule of law, and issues relating to the French language.

The three-day event is taking place in Quebec city, which is also celebrating its 400th anniversary this year.

However, the main themes threaten to be overshadowed by the global financial crisis, as Sarkozy is pushing a total revamp of world financial markets ahead of a meeting with US president George W Bush later in the weekend.

L’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (The International Organisation of Francophone Nations) represents French-speaking countries throughout the world, and encourages co-operation through cultural and educational initiatives.

Among the leaders attending the Francophone summit are President Omar Bongo of Gabon, President Paul Biay of Cameroon and Mali's Amadou Toumani Toure.

Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will also be present at the summit for the first time in four years. Algeria remains wary about actually joining the organisation, due to its complex and frequently antagonistic relationship with its former colonial ruler.

Among the notable absences at this year's meeting are President Laurent Gbagbo of Côte d'Ivoire and Rwandan premier Paul Kagame.

RFI's David Coffey reports from the conference that Kagame's announcement on the eve of the summit that English should be the official language of the country has raised many eyebrows amongst delegates.

 

Mauritania has also been banned from the organisation since the end of August following the overthrow of President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi.