The French Embassy brought together over 400 guests for a grand celebration at the FMF Gymnasium, aimed at strengthening the bonds of friendship between France and Fiji.
This event marked the French national holiday of Bastille Day, commemorating the beginning of the 1789 French Revolution.
French Ambassador to Fiji, François-Xavier Léger, highlighted the significance of Bastille Day. He stated that it not only honors a historical 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,” he remarked.
Ambassador Léger emphasized that the bilateral relationship between France and Fiji has fostered national development in 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 are aligned on many international issues,” he said. “The relationship between the two countries is strong, and we have very strong relations,” he added.
Recently, the French government has shown a willingness to collaborate with Fiji to address the issue of drug trafficking.
The Ambassador noted that this assistance is crucial, considering that France also faces significant drug issues in Europe.
“I think this Pacific island country and France are facing the same issues, and we should unite to combat these drug problems,” he said.
Over 400 guests, including distinguished members of the diplomatic corps, attended the Bastille Day celebration.