The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement after yesterday’s signing of the peace agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and armed groups in eastern DRC:

“Canada applauds the signing of the peace agreement reached at the Goma Peace Conference in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Goma peace agreement paves the way for greater stability in the eastern part of the country and in the entire Great Lakes region of Africa. This agreement should help to alleviate the suffering of those affected by one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, which has plagued the region for too long. Canada remains committed to supporting efforts to bring lasting peace to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to helping those in need.

“This peace agreement represents an important step toward national reconciliation and reconstruction. It will help to ensure favourable conditions for local elections planned for 2008. Canada’s support for the Goma peace agreement is fully in keeping with our efforts to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

Canada supports the Goma Peace Conference, and co-chairs the Group of Friends of the Great Lakes Region, which provides political and diplomatic support to the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). The ICGLR is an important international forum that works at finding sustainable solutions to peace, security, stability and development issues in the region, particularly in eastern DRC.

Canada contributes to ongoing efforts in the region aimed at finding viable national and regional solutions to the enduring conflicts in eastern DRC. Canada has also participated in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the DRC since its establishment in 1999, and currently contributes 10 Canadian military officers to the mission. In addition, Canada has provided over $50 million in humanitarian and longer-term development assistance in the DRC since April 2006.

For more information on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, please consult: http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/geo/drc-en.aspx