The French Embassy welcomed over 400 guests to a grand celebration at the FMF Gymnasium to strengthen the friendship between France and Fiji.
This event marked the French national holiday of Bastille Day, which commemorates the start of the 1789 French Revolution.
French Ambassador to Fiji, François-Xavier Léger, highlighted the significance of Bastille Day, noting that it not only celebrates a historic milestone but also serves as a reminder of the shared values and mutual respect between France and Fiji.
“This is the national day of France, and today we’re also celebrating one of the biggest events, the Olympic Games 2024. It’s been 100 years since we last hosted the Olympic Games in Paris,” stated the Ambassador.
He added that the bilateral relationship between France and Fiji has bolstered national development across various sectors of the Fijian economy.
“We promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts, we promote the fight against the impact of climate change, and I think we align on many issues in international affairs,” said the Ambassador. “The relationship between the two countries is strong, and we have very robust ties,” he added.
Recently, the French government expressed its willingness to collaborate with Fiji to tackle the issue of drug trafficking.
The Ambassador emphasized the importance of this assistance, noting that France also faces significant drug issues in Europe.
“I believe that this Pacific island country and France are dealing with similar challenges, and we should join forces to combat these drug issues,” he said.
The Bastille Day celebration saw over 400 guests, including distinguished members of the diplomatic corps.