Thank you. It was a tremendous pleasure to take part in this working lunch today with President Hollande. First, just as I did two days ago when he attended the Commonwealth summit, I remarked on his personal courage and the courage of France and the French people following the terrible attacks on November 13, the commitment to be a leader … to take on a leadership position, and security around the world, his personal travels to challenge great leaders on this issue of security were well received. But also to remain concerned, as the President did and as the French people are doing, about the fate of our planet because of climate change. The French people are showing tremendous vision, tremendous responsibility, and I am very, very, very pleased to be at the President’s side to talk about this issue and to work together to ensure that, following these two weeks at COP, we will have … an ambitious resolution and a declaration that will bring all countries together to address this important issue.

We talked about a range of issues, including, of course, security, refugees, Canada’s continuing efforts as a very visible member of the coalition against Daesh to ensure that we are all doing our part to counter this … this dangerous rise in extremism. But there are also economic issues, trade issues, including CETA that … that we hope will be resolved soon because free trade between Canada and Europe will be good for both Europe and Canada.

In general, we acknowledged the wonderful friendship between Canada and France, and in some ways, we renewed this friendship today.

It was a tremendous pleasure to have lunch today with President Hollande and his senior ministers to talk about a broad range of issues that are a common cause, not just for Canada and France but for countries around the world, whether it be security and terrorism issues, whether it be refugee issues and countering radicalization, or whether it be the big subject that draws us together: the fight against climate change and the strong and positive role that Canada is pleased to be able to offer to play on the world stage right now.

I look forward to many more meetings and close collaboration with our French cousins, and very much am looking forward to the next time that I get to sit down with the president. 

Thank you, François.