Phl, France ties enter golden age — envoy
Ties between the Philippines and France have entered a “golden age” in recent years with high-level exchanges that led to global partnership, the French ambassador said.
“This momentum has allowed us to further deepen and diversify our partnership, which is now global,” Ambassador Thierry Mathou said during the celebration of the 228th anniversary of the French Revolution on Friday.
He cited the visit of French president Francois Hollande to Manila two years ago.
Hours before Hollande and former president Benigno Aquino III launched in February 2015 a call for the global community to support the signing of a climate agreement, the French leader underscored that the Philippines was a friend of France and that he supported the country that could best embody climate destruction in the world.
Mathou also said that Franco-Philippine relations have developed through a wide range of interactions, with a growing number of young Filipinos now studying in France and the significant number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there.
He noted that the largest number of French volunteers based in Asia is found in the Philippines.
In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, the France-Philippines United Action was created. It is a unique organization, now a foundation, created by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines and supported by the French embassy to provide help and relief to the people affected by climate change.
In recent years, trade and economic relations have also been developing rapidly.
“Actually, it is a priority for us,” Mathou said.
He added French companies in the Philippines are eager to be more active and more present in the Philippines. SMEs have been very active in the market, as shown by the success of the French Tech network.
The French Development Agency is actively promoting green and inclusive growth.
“As a matter of fact, France and the Philippines have been side by side to fight climate change, and we are looking forward to strengthening our cooperation in this important sector,” he said.
France launched this year the campaign “PhilFrance: Feel French!” – an annual festival celebrating different aspects of interaction under five clusters: arts and culture, art de vivre, youth and knowledge, high tech and entrepreneurship, and sharing values.
The objective is to give Filipinos the opportunity to feel France through various aspects of everyday life and to experience the strength of the friendship between France and the Philippines.
“France gives great importance to the development of its relations with the Philippines in all aspects,” Mathou said.
The Philippines and France have marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, with their common attachment to the values of democracy.
Mathou said the French Revolution inspired many people and movements throughout history and all around the world, including the Philippines.
“These celebrations happen in a very special context as 2017 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and the Philippines,” he said.
“As a matter of fact, the friendship between our two nations emerged earlier in the 19th century from a common attachment to the values of democracy inherited from the French Revolution and glorified by ilustrados such as Dr. Rizal, who translated the French Declaration of Human Rights into Filipino while he was in Paris,” he said.