Mr. Speaker, on January 28, I had the opportunity to attend the 16th African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. My trip was to reaffirm our government's engagement with Africa.
I had many productive meetings with my counterparts at the summit. We discussed many issues that were of interest to both Canada and Africa, such as the Sudan referendum, the situation in the Ivory Coast, and issues regarding the International Criminal Court and the UN Security Council reforms.
I also had a bilateral meeting with my Ethiopian counterpart and saw firsthand the many development projects that Canada, through CIDA, was engaged in. While there, I announced Canada's contribution of $18 million to the agricultural growth program in Ethiopia.
Our government views Africa as a partner on the international scene, a historical relationship that this government will continue to strengthen.