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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Secretaries-General of the Commonwealth and La Francophonie Meet in London

15 July 1999

The Secretary-General of L'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Dr Boutros-Boutros Ghali, today visited Marlborough House, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, and held discussions with Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Commonwealth Secretary-General, on issues of mutual interest. Chief Anyaoku also hosted a lunch in Dr Boutros-Ghali's honour.

Both Secretaries-General reaffirmed their hope that co-operative links between the Commonwealth and La Francophonie could be enhanced, building on the relations already established between the two organisations. The Commonwealth Secretariat and L'Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et Technique (ACCT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 1992 and today signed a Supplement to that Memorandum under which L'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie assumed the rights and obligations of the ACCT, which has become its principal operating agency. Six Commonwealth countries also have membership of La Francophonie. A seventh, is an associate member.

In a statement, Chief Anyaoku said that he was delighted to welcome Dr Boutros-Ghali to Marlborough House. "La Francophonie and the Commonwealth are both important trans-regional organisations, which can help to build global consensus on international issues. I know that Dr Boutros-Ghali shares my view that our respective organisations should work together to advance common objectives".

Dr Boutros-Ghali, for his part, said he was convinced that "the co-operation between the Commonwealth and La Francophonie bears witness to the strength of cultural and linguistic diversity". He expressed the hope that "the collaboration between the two organisations would contribute to the development of solutions to major world challenges, such as peace and democratisation".

Note to Editors


The Commonwealth has 54 member states and La Francophonie has 42 member states, five associate members, two participating governments and three observers. Cameroon, Canada, Dominica, Mauritius, Seychelles and Vanuatu have membership of both organisations. St Lucia is an associate member of La Francophonie.

Issued by the Information and Public Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat,
Marlborough House,
Pall Mall,
London SW1Y 5HX,
United Kingdom.
Tel: 0207-839 3411;
Fax: 0207-839 9081;
Telex: 27678

99/45 15 July, 1999

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
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