11 March 2016 - Philippine Ambassador to France Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro welcomed French Government officials, French industry captains and members of the civil society to a reception commemorating the formal establishment of the ASEAN Community on December 31, 2015 at the prestigious Hotel Le Meurice. The event was attended by over 200 guests.
The reception was hosted by the ASEAN Committee in Paris (ACP) which is composed of the ten ASEAN Embassies accredited to the French Government. The Philippines is the current Chair of the ACP.
In her welcome remarks, the Ambassador recounted the milestones leading to the establishment of the ASEAN Community and what this means to ASEAN's dialogue partners and to the rest of the world.
The Ambassador also mentioned the Philippines' hosting of ASEAN in 2017 which coincides with ASEAN's 50th anniversary.
“They say that life begins at 40, but I believe the fun really begins at 50. Youth is far behind us, but at half a century, the coming milestone will mark a more confident, more mature and more dynamic ASEAN that will take its rightful place in the community of nations.” END