French President to visit PHL in 2015

French President Francois Hollande may visit the Philippines next year to promote economic and political ties between the two countries.

 

In a statement on Friday, French Ambassador to the Philippines Gilles Garachon said he “could see” Hollande reciprocating President Benigno Aquino III’s visit to France, which is scheduled next week.

 

“[Aquino’s] visit is expected to reap economic, political, and cultural gains for both our countries, which we hope would lead to greater opportunities for bilateral cooperation,” Gilles said.

 

In October 2012, then-French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault visited Manila—the first time a French government head paid an official visit to the Philippines.

 

Aquino, the first Philippine leader to visit Fance since 1994, is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Hollande at the Elysée Palace in Paris on September 17.

 

The two leaders will also witness the signing of agreements in the areas of culture, education, transportation, and communications, the French Embassy in Manila said.

 

The Philippine president is likewise set to address leaders of 4,000 French companies during his visit to France.

 

Over 51,700 Filipinos are working in France as of December 2012, according to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

 

Aside from France, Aquino will also visit Spain, Belgium, and Germany next week. He is expected to promote trade relations with these countries, and introduce their leaders to the Philippines’ plans to address its territorial row with China over parts of the South China Sea. —NB, GMA News