08 September 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, accompanied by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Andre Peter C. Estanislao, visited Marseille in the south of France on August 28 to meet with key government officials and business leaders to promote Philippine national interests in the region as well as to explore potential Philippine partnerships and areas of cooperation especially in trade and investment. Ambassador Lazaro and Vice Consul Estanislao also met with the thriving Filipino community in Marseille. Marseille, approximately 780 kilometers south of Paris is home to majority of Filipinos in the south of France.
To discuss matters on economy, industry and areas for cooperation on economic diplomacy, Ambassador Lazaro met with the Mr. Louis Aloccio, Vice President for International Cooperation of the Marseille Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Ambassador also met with Mr. Laurent Nuñez, the Prefect of Police of Marseille, to ensure that the rights and welfare of Filipinos are protected and upheld. Meetings were also held with the Indonesian Consul General Dewi Mayangsari Kusumaastuti and the Malaysian Honorary Consul Jean Pierre de Bono, where best practices of these Consulates General and other topics of mutual interest were discussed.
The Ambassador also briefed city officials led by Deputy Mayor on Economy and Industry, Mr. Didier Parakian, on the positive political and economic developments in the Philippines and explored potential avenues of cooperation between the Philippines and the City of Marseille.
The Ambassador then interviewed candidates to be potential Philippine Honorary Consul in Marseille and its environs.
Ambassador Lazaro also met with the Filipino community at the Sacred Heart of Mary Church where there was meaningful sharing of their experiences. Also discussed were ways on how the Philippine Embassy may better serve the Filipino community. END