Prime Minister Stephen Harper has made good on an election promise to give Quebec a more prominent role on the international stage -- announcing that the province will receive special status as part of Canada's delegation to UNESCO.

Harper revealed Quebec's new role with the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization at a joint press conference with Quebec Premier Jean Charest Friday.

The Paris-based organization has a mandate to champion peace, security and cultural diversity through education, science and the arts.

"I am proud ... to have made an agreement today that will allow Quebec to participate fully with the activities of the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization," Harper said, speaking in French.

"This agreement is giving Quebec a formal role to play at UNESCO. From now on Quebec will be participating fully, formally and directly on the actions of UNESCO with the parliamentary delegation of Canada."

Charest described the announcement as "an important moment."

"Quebec has decided to take its rightful place," Charest said, speaking in French. "Today we are entering a new era."

The province has long demanded a more direct role in negotiations on the international stage in areas that affect provincial jurisdiction, such as culture and language. Playing a more prominent role in UNESCO could help the Quebec achieve that goal.

Harper said the new deal doesn't represent special treatment, but it does indicate a new relationship between Ottawa and the provinces.

"A federalism of openness does not mean playing favourites or stirring up jealousies," Harper said.

"But it does mean the time has come to forge new relationships with the provinces, relationships that are open to all parts of the country and respectful of their differences and respectful of the roles and responsibilities of each."

Canada has been a member state of UNESCO since 1946. But the special deal is expected to see Quebec join the organization as an associate member, which would require the support of two-thirds of UNESCO members in a vote.

There are currently only a handful of countries or territories that are associate UNESCO members, including Aruba, the British Virgin Islands, the Netherlands Antilles, the Cayman islands, and the Tokelau Islands in the central Pacific.

Few other details have been made available, but sources say Quebec will have an official representative within Canada's UNESCO office in Paris.

"It may not be something that means a lot to people in English Canada, but in Quebec, this is really important. And when this is announced . . . it's going to see those Tory numbers soar up again in Quebec even more," Fife said Thursday afternoon on CTV's Mike Duffy Live.

The Conservatives are enjoying a big surge in popular support in Quebec. According to a recent CROP-La Presse poll, Harper's Tories had 34 per cent support compared with 31 per cent for the Bloc Quebecois.

Friday's announcement may draw even more support to the Conservatives in Quebec.

"Based on the CROP numbers, the Conservatives stand to win 40 seats in Quebec, and this kind of an issue with UNESCO and fulfilling this promise is going to really help Harper in Quebec. (On Friday), the Quebec papers will be full with this story," predicted Fife.

During the winter election campaign, Harper promised Quebecers his government would adopt a brand of "open federalism" and invite Quebec to participate in any future international forums, including UNESCO.

The Conservatives ended up winning a surprising 10 seats in the province, and Harper is hoping to pick up even more in his quest for a majority.

In a speech to the Montreal Board of Trade last month, Harper said "common sense" dictates that Quebec should have an enhanced role in UNESCO.

"That is what open federalism is all about -- a stronger Quebec in a better Canada, and that is what this new national government intends to deliver," he said.

Friday marks the fourth meeting between the prime minister and Charest. By way of comparison, Harper's meeting with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty Thursday was their first one-on-one encounter since Harper took office.

Although it's crucial for the Tories to improve on the 40 out of 106 seats they gained in vote-rich Ontario to win a majority, they have staked out Quebec as the province in which to make major inroads.

After winning the Jan. 23 election, Harper named five Quebecers to his Cabinet; he made a big political gamble by naming unelected party organizer Michael Fortier to the Senate so he could be sworn in as Minister of Public Works and give Montreal representation in the Cabinet.