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Canada should try again for at a seat on the United Nations Security Council despite its historic loss in 2010, because it is a “global player,” says the French ambassador to Canada.

Envoy Philippe Zeller said he’s noticed that the Harper government has drifted away from engagement with the UN, but as one of the permanent five on the Security Council, France would value having Canada back at the table.

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In October 2010, Canada lost to Portugal in a bid for a two-year council term. The defeat came after six successful campaigns for a seat over the previous six decades.

Analysts have variously attributed the defeat to the Harper government’s controversial foreign policies in the Middle East and Africa, or to Europe closing ranks to support one of its own.

Zeller, who leaves Ottawa next week after three and half years in Ottawa, said Canada and France see eye-to-eye on 90 per cent of issues, but on UN relations it has noticed that Canada under the Conservatives seems to have less time for the institution.