HER Excellency Michèle Boccoz, excellencies and members of the diplomatic corps, colleagues in government, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: Good evening.
On behalf of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the government and people of the French Republic on the occasion of the 232nd anniversary of Bastille Day.
This year also marks the 74th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and France. Since 1947 our friendship remains, and cooperation has expanded and [encompassed] all areas of life, culture, and politics.
Despite challenges posed by the pandemic for the past year and a half, our bilateral-cooperation mechanisms have remained active through virtual platforms. Two weeks ago we held our ninth Joint Economic Committee meeting. Earlier in the year, we convened online the mechanisms for science, technology, and tourism. Before the end of the year, we need to hold the second political consultations between our foreign ministers, and come up with concrete projects in the areas of defense, agriculture, tourism, and space cooperation.
Next year we will celebrate 75 years of our diplomatic relations. We look forward to collaborating with the French Embassy to mark this milestone with meaningful activities.
Ambassador Boccoz, I recall meeting you shortly after you arrived in February, and you have hit the ground running to ensure that despite the pandemic, our relationship continues to grow. We assure the [Department of Foreign Affairs’] continued cooperation and partnership during your tour of duty in the Philippines.
As we celebrate Bastille Day in the pandemic, we are called to remember the spark that set the world on fire in 1789 when the people of France became the citizens of the world fighting for every person’s liberty, equality, [as well as] the brotherhood and sisterhood of men and women.
Only a few events in history reverberated so fast that every corner of the world could hear La Marseillaise. In these dark times we can look to the French legacy of marching ahead with ineffable, sanguine spirit that will never be defeated.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a toast: To the continued prosperity of the French Republic and the well-being of its people, to the continued good health and success of Ambassador Boccoz, and to the enduring bounds of friendship between the Philippines and France.
In honor of Bastille Day, we say: Vive la France!