Though on the first leg of his State visit to Canada, President Shimon Peres did not overlook the importance of Israel's relations with France of which Peres himself had been the most active and ardent architect.
Peres hastened to send a congratulatory message to newly-elected French President Francois Hollande saying that he looked forward to working with him towards strengthening the existing deep and historic ties between their two countries.
In his missive to Hollande, Peres expressed confidence that under Hollande's leadership the French people would look to the future with hope, security and in a spirit of unity.
On arrival in Ottawa, Peres and his entourage were greeted at Rideau Hall by Governor General David Johnston who welcomed them not in English or in French – but in Hebrew with a hearty "Beruchim Haba'im".
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