News

On 15-19 October in Quebec, Canada, the Lithuanian delegation led by Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aurimas Taurantas, is taking part in the Ministerial Conference and the Summit of the International Organisation of the Francophonie. These meetings concur with the final events marking the anniversary of 400 years since the founding of Quebec City.

During the meeting, usual topics are discussed: use of the French language in the world, cultural cooperation, peace and democracy. Currently important issues of climate change and the economic crisis are also discussed.

In his speech, Ambassador A.Taurantas highlighted the growing popularity of the French language and the Francophonic culture in Lithuania, the general commitment of our country in the area of culture and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

A.Taurantas acquainted the participants of the conference with the events of the millennium anniversary of Lithuania’s name and the European Capital of Culture, invited them to visit Lithuania in 2009. Ambassador thanked the secretary general of the Organisation of the Francophonie for his strong position regarding Georgia’s territorial integrity during the conflict in Georgia.

The Organisation of the Francophonie joins together 55 member countries and 13 observer states. During the Quebec Summit, two more observer states – Latvia and Thailand – will be invited to the organization and Armenia will be granted associate membership status. Lithuania has had the status of an observer country since 1999.