MANILA, Philippines – Sinabi ni bagong French Ambassador to the Philippines Donatienne Hissard na handa ang France na suportahan ang pagsisikap ng Pilipinas na palakasin ang paglago ng ekonomiko, i-develop ang industrial base nito at lumikha ng lokal na hanapbuhay.
Inihayag ng French ambassador ang commitment niyang ito kasabay ng pagpresenta ng kanyang credentials kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., sa Palasyo ng Malakanyang, araw ng Huwebes, Oktubre 1.
“France stands ready to support your government’s efforts to strengthen economic growth, build up the industrial base and local employment,” ang sinabi ng bagong French ambassador.
Tinukoy ni Hissard ang Luzon Economic Corridor at iba pang strategic projects bilang lugar kung saan ang France ay maaaring makapag-ambag sa pamamagitan ng development assistance at private sector expertise.
“Through the Luzon Economic Corridor and other strategic projects, we hope to contribute as a development partner or through the expertise of our private sector to many other critical investments in transportation, infrastructure, connectivity, disaster prevention and management,” ang sinabi ni Hissard.
Binigyang diin ni Hissard ang commitment ng France sa “closer cultural, academic at people-to-people exchanges.’
Para sa Pangulo, ang relasyon ng Pilipinas at France ay lumakas, kung saan ginalugad ng dalawang bansa ang kooperasyon sa kabila ng traditional areas.
“The relationship between our two countries has grown stronger, but we have explored areas that were considered not traditional,” ayon kay Pangulong Marcos.
“And these are things that we hope to continue to promote in our current… two countries for the benefit of France and for the Philippines,” aniya pa rin.
Si Hissard, nagsilbi bilang Chief Executive Officer of Campus France simula pa April 2022, humawak ng ilang posisyon sa French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Nagsilbi rin siya bilang Second Counselor at Deputy Permanent Representative of France sa Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations sa Rome mula 2012 hanggang 2016.
Pinanatili naman ng Pilipinas at France ang diplomatic relations para sa 79 taon simula nang itatag ang pormal na ugnayan noong 1947.
Ang France ay itinuturing na 20th largest trading partner ng Pilipinas noong 2025, na may total trade na umabot sa $1.873 billion.
Saklaw ng kasunduan ng dalawang bansa ang air services, cultural cooperation, defense, film, at development cooperation. (KRIS JOSE)
