March 25, 2009
No. 75
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement concerning France’s decision to reopen the issue of the delimitation of the continental shelf issue:
“Canada regrets the Government of France’s decision to submit a letter of intent to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf claiming an extended continental shelf for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
“The maritime delimitation between Canada and France was settled definitively by the June 10, 1992, arbitration decision made by the tribunal instituted by the March 30, 1989, arbitration agreement between the two parties.
“Canada does not recognize France’s claim to any area of the continental shelf in the northwest Atlantic Ocean beyond the area set out in the arbitration decision, and Canada has made France aware of its position on several occasions, and again recently. Canada will take all necessary measures to defend and protect its rights with respect to its continental shelf.”
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Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
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613-995-1874
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