Notes
for a Toast by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on the Occasion of an Official Dinner
Hosted by Mr. Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic
December 9, 2003
Paris, France
This dinner is a truly special event for me and Aline. We
are surrounded by very dear friends on the occasion of my last official dinner
and my last foreign visit as Prime Minister of Canada.
I consider it entirely appropriate to close my 40-year
political career here in France, the country where Canada’s recorded history
began – the history of my Canada.
Four hundred years ago, a group of visionary explorers
commissioned by Henry IV established the first permanent French settlement in
North America.
Today, the ties
between France and Canada are stronger than ever. Our transatlantic dealings
– both personal and professional – are many and fruitful.
We have just
ratified an agreement that will make it possible every year for 7000 young
people from Canada and 7000 young people from France to cross the Atlantic and
live and work in each other’s country.
On the international stage, our countries are often at
the forefront of efforts to build a better world, a world based on the
principles of cooperation, progress, law and justice, multilateralism and
respect for the United Nations.
We have worked
closely together to ban antipersonnel mines, create an International Criminal
Court, protect the environment by adhering to the Kyoto Protocol, develop a
vibrant and dynamic Francophonie, and improve conditions on the African
continent.
We have achieved many successes together.
But we are faced with new challenges.
We have to display both imagination and generosity to ensure the
development of an equitable and harmonious globalization, advantageous for the
whole of humanity. In this
respect, few countries have the capacity to propose and convince as France and
Canada can.
For 400 years, we
have been weaving strong ties. Our shared challenge, put into perspective, is
to draw on our friendship to strengthen transatlantic relations. We Canadians
must pay more attention to what is going on in Europe.
We must become
closer to the European Union and to our key partners who are its members.
As for you, our French friends, you have an important
role to play in maintaining strong transatlantic ties.
As
I have said, the friendship between our nations also exists at a personal
level. I have had the privilege
and the pleasure of working with several French politicians: Jean-Pierre
Raffarin, who must meet challenges I am very familiar with and who can count
on all my understanding and encouragement; Jacques Chirac, a true friend, a
force of nature, and a colleague with whom I have always enjoyed – and
always will enjoy – working, discussing, and sharing views.
Jacques Chirac, a partner who not only shares my values, but also many
interests, such as Aboriginal People and their culture and of course, Canada.
I would also like to pay tribute officially to another
great partner, my wife Aline. We will now be embarking on a new stage in our
life together, and Aline and I will remain forever grateful for your
hospitality and your friendship, Jacques and Bernadette.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much.
Vive le Canada! Vive la France!
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