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(KPL)Ambassador of France to Laos Ms Siv-Leng Chhuor said: Bastille Day, celebrated annually on July 14th, marks a pivotal moment in the French Revolution of 1789. This historic event heralds the birth of the French Republic and the enduring values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. In 2024, France not only celebrates the 235th anniversary of this defining moment of its modern history, but also the second time in 100 years that it will host the Olympic Games.
(KPL)Ambassador of France to Laos Ms Siv-Leng Chhuor said: Bastille Day, celebrated annually on July 14th, marks a pivotal moment in the French Revolution of 1789. This historic event heralds the birth of the French Republic and the enduring values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. In 2024, France not only celebrates the 235th anniversary of this defining moment of its modern history, but also the second time in 100 years that it will host the Olympic Games.
In Laos, the French Embassy organized an Olympic-themed reception to mark this special occasion. This celebration was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, and many other high-level personalities including the mayor of Vientiane and ministers, highlighting the deep ties between France and Laos, the year following the 70th anniversary of the France-Laos Treaty of Friendship. The Olympic Games will start on July 26th, with an epic launch of the Games on the river Seine. May the best team win!
Indo-Pacific and ASEAN centrality
On the occasion of Laos holding the ASEAN chairmanship this year, France recalls its best wishes of success, and reiterates the centrality of ASEAN in its Indo-Pacific strategy. Development partner of ASEAN since 2020, France always supports the resolution of global issues within the framework of an open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific and intends to strengthen its ties with ASEAN in the political, economic, cultural sectors and global issues.
France-Laos Ties: A Tapestry of Friendship and Collaboration
The relationship between France and Laos is woven deeply into the fabric of history, encompassing shared cultural, economic, and diplomatic bonds. The celebration of Bastille Day is not just a commemoration of French history but also a celebration of partnership and mutual respect between Laos and France. Since the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between the two countries 70 years ago, deep-rooted ties have strengthened in various sectors, building bridges between peoples. Many French actors are engaged in ensuring mutual prosperity, supported by a thriving French community of more than 2,100 nationals. This year, French businesses created the France-Laos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, testimony of thriving economic activities, and more than 17,000 French tourists answered Visit Laos Year 2024’s call.
The French Ambassador, who embodies France’s action in Laos since 2021, has visited 16 out of Laos’s 18 provinces to meet with provincial authorities, French community and projects developed with Laotian partners that ensure quality and sustainability, always attentive to Laos’s priorities.
A renewed impetus to bilateral ties
In the wake of the 70th anniversary celebrations, France and Laos relations are stepping up through the boost of landmark projects like CHAMPA for heritage preservation of the iconic Vat Phu Champassak and in Savannakhet province. France also works with Team Europe, through the launch of new projects like Green Cup in the framework of the Global Gateway Initiative. Through its expertise and commitment to quality projects for sustainable development, France holds dear the prospect of contributing for instance to substantive action in renewable energy, agriculture, water management, heritage, and health sectors in Laos. 2024 marks another important year for Franco-Laotian relations, with the anniversaries of French agencies: 30 years of AFD’s presence in Laos (French Development Agency), 80 years of IRD (French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development), and 40 years of CIRAD (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development).
Inter-Cultural Richness:
As part of the deep-rooted cultural ties, the French Institute in Laos will also celebrate its 30th anniversary during the 3rd France-Laos Festival this year, hosting diverse events reflecting vibrant cultural and human exchanges that persists to this day. At the heart of France’s cultural action in Laos lies exchanges with Laotian artists and voices. This year, the Francophonie Festival at the Chao Anouvong Park, as well as the breakdance collaboration between a French Olympic team star and Fanglao Studio during Lao Hip Hop Festival sparkled further intercultural dialogue.
Looking Ahead: Youth and Education
What would be France-Laos bilateral ties without inter-youth exchanges? In 2024, educational cooperation saw the completion of several flagship projects: reinforcing the educational continuum between primary and secondary education, enhancing the learning conditions for the Lao-French bilingual system. Today, around 200 teachers and more than 4,000 students benefit from this francophone education, not to mention the growing number of Alumni, Laotians who have studied in France or at the French schools Lycée Hoffet and Ecole Francophone de Luang Prabang. They work in various sectors, from politics to fashion, engineering, agriculture and, of course, teaching and contribute to strengthening ties between our two countries, and are caked upon by their important role in the future of our ties.
Bastille Day stands as a reminder of the power of collective action in the pursuit of a better tomorrow. The bonds of friendship between France and Laos continue to flourish, paving the way for a future built on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared prosperity.
Happy Bastille Day to all!
KPL
