Thank you very much, Ms. Mathyssen.
Obviously, I cannot… It goes without saying that our vote is not for sale. However, we do have friendly relations, strong relations that go back to the days following our independence. We wrote to the Canadian government to say—and I believe I can make this comment here without it being public—that we would support Canada's candidacy for a seat on the Security Council, as a non-permanent member.
Having said that, I did not come here today to sell that information; I came to explain to the Canadian government that our longstanding relations, which are productive and have been reinforced in recent years by a strong private sector presence in our country, should be strengthened further, to our mutual advantage. That would mean that Burkina Faso would have a greater opportunity to achieve its millennium development goals, and would be better equipped to fight poverty and continue to make progress in such areas as governance and gender equality. It would also be an opportunity to state to Canada that it is very much in its interests to see that happen, since it would expand business opportunities. It would also allow us to maintain our efforts in the sub-region towards peace and stability, efforts which are useful for general economic development and trade, in particular.
We were very well received, as I said. I had the opportunity to meet with the Canada-Africa Friendship, Cooperation and Solidarity Association, where we had very interesting discussions. I also met with the Honourable Bob Rae; again, they were very interesting discussions. I met with the two whips; that was very interesting. And I see that, here as well, the questions are specific and interesting.
I think that is what it is all about—candid and friendly relations between our two countries. These are two countries engaged in dialogue are not just two governments; they are two countries talking to one another—in other words, over and above the governments per se, these are two countries whose interests must be preserved and must foster stronger bonds of friendship.
Thank you, Ms. Mathyssen.