(No. 380 - December 1, 2010 - 7:15 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire:
"Canada notes the high level of participation of the Ivorian people in the first and second rounds of the country's presidential election. This clearly demonstrates the people's determination to put the country on the path toward stability and prosperity.
"Canada calls on the institutions responsible for managing the election to observe the neutrality and transparency required in fulfilling their mandate. In particular, we urge the Commission électorale indépendante [Independent Electoral Commission] to announce the provisional results of the second round as soon as possible.
"Canada urges the two candidates to respect the results of the ballots cast by the Ivorian people, in order to complete the electoral process in an atmosphere of calm and respect for democratic values and to put Côte d'Ivoire on the road to a definitive resolution of its political crisis."
For further information on Canada's engagement in Côte d'Ivoire, please consult Embassy of Canada to Côte d'Ivoire.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Melissa Lantsman
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
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