The French Embassy hosted over 400 guests at the FMF Gymnasium for a grand celebration aimed at strengthening the bonds of friendship between France and Fiji.
This event was held in honor of France’s annual national holiday, Bastille Day, which commemorates the beginning of the 1789 French Revolution.
French Ambassador to Fiji, François-Xavier Léger, highlighted the significance of Bastille Day, stating it not only celebrates a historical milestone but also serves as a reminder of the shared values and mutual respect between France and Fiji.
Ambassador Léger commented, “This is the national day of France, and today we are also celebrating one of the biggest events, the Olympic Games 2024. It has been 100 years since we last hosted the Olympic Games in Paris.”
He added that the bilateral relationship between France and Fiji has fostered national development across various sectors of the Fijian economy.
“We promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts, we advocate for the fight against the impacts of climate change, and we are aligned on many international issues,” said the Ambassador. “The relationship between our two countries is strong, and we have very robust ties.”
Recently, the French government expressed its willingness to collaborate with Fiji to address drug trafficking.
The Ambassador noted the significance of this assistance, particularly given that France faces one of the biggest drug challenges in Europe.
“I think this Pacific island nation and France face similar issues, and we should work together to combat drug trafficking,” he stated.
Over 400 guests attended the Bastille celebration, including distinguished members of the diplomatic corps.