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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Pandesal and croissants: PH, France celebrate 74 years of diplomatic ties

Pandesal and croissants: PH, France celebrate 74 years of diplomatic ties

Published Jun 26, 2021 11:31 am

The French Embassy in Manila kicked off the 74th year of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and France on Saturday, June 26, by starting the day with a basket of pandesal (salted bread) and croissant.

A basket of pandesal and croissant with the flag of the Philippines and France to commemorate 74 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. (Photo from the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia Facebook page)

In a Facebook post, the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia asked the public what does the friendship between the two countries mean to them.

"Bonjour, magandang umaga! We're starting the day with a basket of croissants and pandesal because today, June 26, we celebrate the friendship between France and the Philippines!" the Embassy's post read.

"It was on this day in 1947 that diplomatic relations between our two countries were formalized through the signing of the Treaty of Amity in Paris. We want to know: what does the friendship between France and the Philippines mean to you?" it furthered.

In response, one netizen responded to the question with "Higher education and cultural bridges for a more comfortable and diverse unity."

Meanwhile, another one said the relationship between the two countries meant that there were "more doors to open when it comes to economic and people-to-people cooperation."

"We have a shared history and we can meet on common grounds with regards to various challenges in today's world," Facebook user JV Matencio commented on the Embassy's post.

"We've come a long way together since the late 1940s. I hope the French Republic and the Republic of the Philippines will continue to establish unprecedented ties and cooperation in various fields," he added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) celebrated the 74th anniversary of the Philippines-France ties by posting an infographic detailing their relations since 1947.

According to the DFA, there are 25,673 Filipinos in France. There have also been six changes of official visits of heads of government/state since 1989:

  • Corazon Aquino (July 1989)
  • Fidel Ramos (September 1994)
  • Jean-March Ayrault (October 2012)
  • Benigno Aquino III (September 2014 and December 2015)
  • Francois Hollande (February 2015)

France is also set to host the ninth Philippines-France Joint Economic Committee (JEC) this year. The JEC, established in 1994, focuses on broadening cooperation in the areas of creative industries, tourism, sustainable development, aerospace, and aeronautics.

Trade between the two countries amounted to $1.03 billion in 2020 with $472.33 million worth of exports from the Philippines.

France approved $33.65 million with of investments to the Philippines last year.

The total remittances from overseas Filipinos in France amounted to $47.53 million in 2020.

Meanwhile, the DFA said the Philippines and France signed a defense cooperation agreement in 2016. The countries are also exploring opportunities for space cooperation.

Related Tags

Pandesal PH-France ties croissant DFA Department of Foreign Affairs Philippines France DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
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