The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Stéphane Séjourné, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, during her visit to Paris.
The ministers had the opportunity to discuss the impact of current geopolitical issues on Canada and France, and ways to better coordinate each country's approach to them. The ministers exchanged views on the initiatives recently put forward by the two countries to strengthen support for Ukraine, which continues to defend itself against Russia's full-scale invasion, as well as on the possibilities for strengthening coordinated military support for Ukrainians.
The ministers also discussed the conflict in the Middle East. The ministers agreed on the need to continue discussions already underway within the G7 with a view to help secure the release of the hostages, and reach an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. They also called for urgent, safe and unimpeded humanitarian relief in Gaza and reiterated that the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers is paramount and international humanitarian law must be respected. They also discussed the need to prevent the conflict from escalating throughout the region. They also expressed their concern about the disturbing rise in acts targeting Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities in Canada, France, and around the world.
On Haiti, the ministers agreed that it is essential that the transitional government is established quickly in order to restore security, order and democracy in Haiti. The ministers discussed the Multinational Security Support mission and agreed to continue coordination to support the needs of the Haitian National Police.
