Ottawa, April 21, 2010 – The Burkinabe Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation, His Excellency Alain Yoda Bédouma will be conducting a working visit in Canada from April 25 to April 30, 2010. Mainly based in the capital city, Ottawa, this visit will allow Canadian officials to exchange with the head of the diplomacy of Burkina Faso, a country that stands out positively in Africa, especially in the missions of mediation and conflict resolution (Côte d’ Ivoire, Guinea-Conakry, Togo, terrorism and hostage situations, etc.).

Given the important issues facing Africa, especially in terms of security and the fight against international terrorism and sustainable development, Canada and Burkina Faso share several common intervention methods to bring peace in conflict zones in Africa and to reinforce the process of the multifaceted development occurring today in most African countries. His Excellency Bédouma Alain Yoda will meet with his Canadian counterpart, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon to address all these major issues.

Other closed and informal meetings are also scheduled during this visit as follow: meeting with parliamentarians at the House of Commons, accredited members of the Diplomatic Corps in Ottawa, university professors and business men and women interested in opportunities in Burkina Faso.

This important working visit will take place this year 2010 in which Burkina Faso and nearly twenty other African countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of their independence.