Algiers, Algeria, Tuesday, November 21, 2006
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I am honoured to be delivering the opening address at this Canada-Algeria Business Forum. The fact that you have come out in such numbers speaks volumes of the rich partnership between our two countries. And I dare say that now is the time to consider a successful co-operative model.
To take the full measure of the progress made in recent years, we must first take a sad look back at the not-so-distant "decade of blood" and insecurity in Algeria. The Algerian people have suffered terribly as a result; perhaps the worst injury of all being to find themselves completely isolated. We couldn't be happier that the spirit of openness and the willingness to set the country right are at long last prevailing.
I would like to commend the determination of the Algerian people to remain vigilant, anxious to see democracy take solid root in their country and aware that the best way to ensure social cohesion is to stamp out poverty and encourage economic prosperity for the greater good.
Algeria has learned the consequences of destitution, hardship, distress. A lesson that came at a high cost.
Algerians know more than most the price of freedom. The courage with which they continue to move forward and build solidarity, now as in the past, is a lesson for all of humanity.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, stated that "[translation] political stability and economic development go hand in hand" and hopes that the African continent "[translation] is now on the road to development and prosperity."
It is also Canada's most deeply held belief that peace, stability and prosperity make up an indivisible whole that will lead Algeria, indeed all of Africa, to realize its full potential.
Continuing the efforts that are guiding Algeria toward modernization, the affirmation of democracy, and the promotion of rights for women and men is not only a sign of success, but also a promise of hope on this continent and around the world.
This is the vision of society that Canada intends to support.
The ties that bind our two countries are precious and unbreakable, so much so that even the worst moments of that terrible decade could not diminish them. We have remained. And together, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations last year. Let there be no doubt that the friendship between our peoples has grown stronger than ever.
Algeria has been Canada's leading trading partner in Africa and the Middle East for a number of years. For example, in 2005, total imports and exports reached nearly $4.4 billion. This is yet another sign of the success of the Canada-Algeria economic partnership.
Even during the most difficult years, Canadian companies remained in Algeria and continued to believe in the potential of that partnership. Many sectors are stronger because of it, including the oil and gas sector, finance, public works, engineering, agriculture and communications.
Of course, "[translation] its natural resources, its demographic strength and vitality, its geographic size and location, at the crossroads of three continents, and its cultural heritage," to quote President Bouteflika, make Algeria a prime partner.
I am so pleased that the commercial operations of Canadian businesses in Algeria are not short-sighted. Instead, they are more like long-term investments with a view to bringing a certain technological savoir faire to a country with immense potential.
This is how we envision the co-operation between our two countries. In a time of large economic blocks, Algeria and Canada can be proud of this partnership, which is expected to grow in the coming years and increase their chances to open themselves to the world.
And I firmly believe that this co-operation must be part of and practised within an ethical framework that is respectful of the people, of their cultural diversity, and of the ecological integrity of the places where we live and draw our resources.
We cannot deplete the Earth without compromising ourselves and our children's future. What is at stake is much more than a short-term gain.
My friends, though it is our intention to manage it in good faith, the Canada-Algeria partnership, which has already seen such impressive achievements, has not yet run its full course. For indeed, there is still the promise of much more to come. It is no less than a promise of hope.
I am delighted to have this opportunity to tell this to youyou, the architects of this partnershipand to congratulate you on this achievement. Especially given that the inauguration of the Algerian-Canadian Business Club will allow business people from both of our countries to continue this momentum and to enhance the vitality of the relationship between our two peoples.
I would like to pay tribute to the 50 000 Algerians living in Canada, largely in the Greater Montreal Area, who are no strangersfar from itto the vitality and warmth of exchanges between our two countries.
It is the largest Algerian community abroad, behind that established in France, and one that is making a remarkable contribution to the economy of its country of origin while enriching the lives of Canadians. I have seen this for myself many times in Montreal, which remains my home in Canada.
I have no doubt that the Algerian community in Canada, indeed all of Canada itself, is anxiously awaiting the opening of a direct air link between Algiers and Montreal in 2007. Almost overnight, the distances between North Africa and North America will seem far less expansive.
Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegalese statesman and poet, who would have been one hundred years old this year, once expressed the wish that we learn to "[translation] look to the South as to the North, so that the balance of humanism may shape the destiny of Africa."
And with those words of wisdom, respect and openness, I leave you now, dear friends, with the firm belief that we, in turn, will never forget that economic development is not a divisive instrument, but an opportunity for sharing and mutual reinforcement.
Thank you, and may my best wishes for success go with you.
