Hollande may visit Phl next year

PARIS – French President Francois Hollande has disclosed plans to visit the country next year as well as his desire for Filipinos to speak French.

In his statement after the bilateral meeting with President Aquino at the Elysee Palace on Wednesday, Hollande said it was a pleasure to host Aquino here because he embodied democracy in the Philippines.

Hollande noted that Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, also visited France some 25 years ago.

Mrs. Aquino, who spoke fluent French, was hosted here by then President
Francois Mitterrand. The visit served as an opportunity to remind France of the Philippines’ fight for freedom under the Marcos dictatorship.

“And today, you are not just her son, you are her continuity,” Hollande said.

The French leader said his government would build political cooperation at an exceptional level, given the foreign affairs departments of the two countries would meet on a regular basis to discuss situations on matters of concern – be it in Asia, in Europe or elsewhere in the world.

“We also have some economic relationships, which have been very much improved given that there are more than a hundred French companies in the Philippines and these represent some 40,000 jobs or more,” Hollande said.

He said France would explore other areas where it could be of help to boost the Philippine economy, and vice versa.

The two leaders also discussed climate change as they noted the destruction left by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that struck the Philippines last year.

“And we have expressed France’s solidarity vis-a-vis the Philippines, but at the same time we have agreed that in the context of the preparation of the climate conference (here next year), France and the Philippines should work together,” Hollande said.

The French leader also noted the agreements signed by the two countries on air services, culture and education.