No. 86
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced that he will be travelling to Paris to attend a ministerial meeting on Darfur.
'Canada is a key partner in ongoing international efforts to improve the human rights, humanitarian and security situation in Darfur. I look forward to this opportunity to work closely with my counterparts to coordinate our efforts toward a sustainable solution,' said Minister MacKay. 'Canada welcomes the agreement reached on June 12 by the African Union, the United Nations and the Government of Sudan on a hybrid African Union-United Nations peacekeeping operation in Darfur.'
'More must be done to protect the people of Darfur, and that is why we strongly support the full and rapid implementation of the hybrid force as an essential step toward improving the human rights and humanitarian situation in that region. That is also why we call on all parties to ensure safe and unhindered access to humanitarian workers, so they can provide assistance and protection to those in need without fear of violence or intimidation,' Minister MacKay added.
As a principal supporter of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), Canada provides a comprehensive package of support, which includes approximately $8 million a month for essential airlift capacity to move African Union troops and equipment to protect the people of Darfur. Since 2004, Canada has spent approximately $400 million on humanitarian assistance, peacebuilding projects, reconstruction efforts and support for AMIS.
'Canada also calls on other members of the international community to come forward with their own contributions in support of AMIS until the transition to a UN-funded hybrid force can take place,' said Minister MacKay.
For more information about Canada's continued support to establishing peace in Darfur, visit the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website, www.canadasudan.gc.ca.
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