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CANADIAN BRANCH OF CANADA-FRANCE INTERPARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION ATTENDS ANNUAL MEETING IN FRANCE From August 31st to September 7th, 2011, the Canadian delegation of the Canada-France Interparliamentary Association will travel to France for the 38th Annual Meeting of the Association. Established in 1965, the Association offers Canadian and French parliamentarians a forum for the exchange of information and ideas. Members meet once a year, alternating between Canada and France. Last year, the Association held its meetings in Alberta. “This year’s meeting will facilitate a continuation of the important dialogue that the Canada-France Interparliamentary Association cultivates between our two countries,” said Senator Claudette Tardif, Chair of the Canadian group of the Association. “During the meetings, Canadian and French parliamentarians will discuss trade, energy and other significant topics, and work toward an improved understanding of common issues, in order to build a more productive bilateral relationship.” The delegation of 9 Canadian parliamentarians will arrive in Paris on August 31st, where they will visit the National Assembly and the Senate. Their work will continue in Paris on September 1st, with working meetings on elections, social policy, the nuclear industry, and the framework of a Canada-European Union free trade agreement. A ministerial meeting is also planned. On September 2nd, the delegation will travel to Normandy, where it will visit two key facilities of the French nuclear energy industry. It will also visit battle sites of the First and Second World Wars where the Canadian Forces played critical roles; the delegation’s visit will be marked by memorial ceremonies for Canadian soldiers. The delegation will continue on to the Loire region, where it will meet with officials at the 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment, and with representatives of France’s sizeable poultry industry. Throughout the seven-day summit, members of the Canada-France Interparliamentary Association will meet with leaders and officials from municipal, regional, and national branches of the French government. Each scheduled event and meeting of the summit offers a forum to share views and policies with business representatives, experts and local community groups. Senator Tardif believes the 38th Annual Meeting of the Association will continue its tradition of creating a forum for meaningful dialogue between two countries who are friends and partners. “This is an ideal opportunity for these two countries that are bound by a language, culture and history to strengthen their ties of cooperation, diplomacy and friendship, and to discuss freely many issues of common interest,” said Tardif. -30- For more information: Serge
Pelletier Carlene
Variyan
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