Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
Be more imaginative, ambitious in elevating PH-France ties — French envoy
Philippines
National
Be more imaginative, ambitious in elevating PH-France ties — French envoy
Be more imaginative, ambitious in elevating PH-France ties — French envoy
By Joseph Pedrajas and Joseph Pedrajas
Published Jul 15, 2023 03:10 am
Outgoing French Ambassador to the Philippines Michele Boccoz has urged peoples of both nations to be "more imaginative" and "more ambitious" in bringing the two countries' ties to the next level.
*Photo courtesy of French Ambassador to the Philippines Michele Boccoz*
At the reception of Bastille Day on Friday night, July 14 Boccoz added that the relationship between the Philippines and France must be focused on young people and on student mobility, where she believed, "We can do more and better." She pushed for the double increase of Filipino students in France by 2025. "We count on the new generation to breathe more life in all these areas with ambition and imagination," she said in her remarks. There are two areas of partnership that the Philippines and France share and must further pursue. These are politics and the economy, Boccoz said. The administrations of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and President Emmanuel Macron have both made addressing climate issues a top priority. Both leaders also believe in protecting the planet and ecosystems, especially the oceans, Boccoz added. "This is why our French President is so committed to this issue, one of our joint bilateral priorities, as exemplified by the Shark Fin Bay project led by Frédéric Tardieu in Palawan on biodiversity and coral reefs restoration," she said, adding that the Philippines is one the key players in building such a bilateral relationship. Boccoz also noted the growing interest of French investors in the Philippines. She said the number of projects and investments that is growing "is a true testament to the success of our partnership". "This dynamism affects all areas of economic life," she said, noting that other areas affected are infrastructure and energy. But there is one more area that the Philippines and France can tie-up: “The partnership of hearts,” says Boccoz. She said Filipino and French share many passions, including gastronomy, cinema, singing and music, sports--especially basketball--and many others. “But we now need to go even further,” she added.
*Photo courtesy of French Ambassador to the Philippines Michele Boccoz*
At the reception of Bastille Day on Friday night, July 14 Boccoz added that the relationship between the Philippines and France must be focused on young people and on student mobility, where she believed, "We can do more and better." She pushed for the double increase of Filipino students in France by 2025. "We count on the new generation to breathe more life in all these areas with ambition and imagination," she said in her remarks. There are two areas of partnership that the Philippines and France share and must further pursue. These are politics and the economy, Boccoz said. The administrations of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and President Emmanuel Macron have both made addressing climate issues a top priority. Both leaders also believe in protecting the planet and ecosystems, especially the oceans, Boccoz added. "This is why our French President is so committed to this issue, one of our joint bilateral priorities, as exemplified by the Shark Fin Bay project led by Frédéric Tardieu in Palawan on biodiversity and coral reefs restoration," she said, adding that the Philippines is one the key players in building such a bilateral relationship. Boccoz also noted the growing interest of French investors in the Philippines. She said the number of projects and investments that is growing "is a true testament to the success of our partnership". "This dynamism affects all areas of economic life," she said, noting that other areas affected are infrastructure and energy. But there is one more area that the Philippines and France can tie-up: “The partnership of hearts,” says Boccoz. She said Filipino and French share many passions, including gastronomy, cinema, singing and music, sports--especially basketball--and many others. “But we now need to go even further,” she added.