Less than a year into his new role as the French ambassador to Canada, François Delattre says his job will continue to be the strengthening and preservation of an already strong relationship between the two countries.
François Delattre
Speaking at Western as part of France Day 2009, Delattre outlined the importance of the European Union in taking a more active role internationally in areas ranging from the current financial crisis to the environment and national defense.
“We have very ambitious goals and commitments in helping set up the new world order,” says Delattre, appointed in June 2008. “It is key that we have an enhanced partnership with Canada, such an important industrial partner.”
Delattre says France has played a significant role in areas including the economic crisis, where the nation saw a record-breaking 350,000 new business start-up in 2008, which “says a lot about the vitality of entrepreneurship in France.”
With a strong military presence around the world and his country’s priority of addressing climate change, Delattre says France continues to have a significant role to play throughout the world.
“You may ask ‘does France have the will, the means, the resources and tools to allow it to be a major player in this?” he says.
“The simple answer I give you is ‘yes.”
Delattre hopes to the two countries can work together on shared goals.
“Our relationship is strongly anchored in shared values and we have always stood shoulder-to-shoulder for democratic values,” he says. “The values we share are the best weapons, tools and leverage we have to combat the present challenges we face..”