Secretary Locsin Welcomes French Director for Asia and Oceania

(DFA-OPCD photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)

PASAY CITY, 01 December 2021 — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. received Mr. Bertrand Lortholary, Director for Asia and Oceania (equivalent to Vice Minister) of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, on 29 November 2021 at the DFA Main Office.

The Secretary conveyed the Philippines’ solidarity with France in the fight against the pandemic and expressed hope that the public health situation in Europe improves soon.

The two sides revisited the outcomes of the 2nd Philippines-France Political Consultations in September, and committed to further strengthening the ties between the two nations as they celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations next year.

With France assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2022, Director Lortholary discussed the country’s priorities which include its Indo-Pacific Strategy. On behalf of the French Foreign Minister, he also extended to the Secretary an invitation to the Ministerial Forum on the Indo-Pacific in February 2022 which aims to “start translating into concrete actions” this strategy.

The Secretary was joined by  Acting Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and European Affairs Assistant Secretary Jaime Victor B. Ledda. Director Lortholary was accompanied by French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz, Mr. Fabrice Fize and Mr. Thomas Rollet, Deputy Head of Mission and Political Advisor of the French Embassy, respectively. END