France-Cambodia ties hailed
Cambodia and France have highlighted the long-term nature of their close bilateral relationship, committing to further strengthening the privileged ties in areas of politics, economics, investment and development.
The close rapport was hailed at the reception of the Bastille Day, (the French national day) held at the gardens of the Résidence de France on Friday evening and attended by more than 600 people, including royals, high-ranking government officials, legislators, diplomats, military officials, members of civil society organisations and institutions, among others.
The Day celebrates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789, a moment of immense cultural and historical significance for the French Republic as well as the “Fête de la Fédération” that celebrated the unity of the French people on July 14, 1790.
In his remark, French Ambassador to Cambodia Jacques Pellet said the celebration has begun under the “best auspices”, because on Friday morning Prime Minister Hun Sen has presided over an inauguration of the “Monument aux Morts de la Grande Guerre” (Memorial for the Dead of World War I) or “Roupi”, in the park opposite the Embassy.
The government rebuilt the monument, erected in 1925 but destroyed by the Khmer Rouge during their takeover of Phnom Penh in 1975.
Ambassador Pellet recalled that the past year has been rich in positive events as Cambodia succeeded in two major challenges: its chairmanship of ASEAN, which brought many world leaders to Phnom Penh, and the organisation, for the first time in its history, of the 32nd SEA Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games.
“They were, quite rightly, a moment of national pride and fervour, the intensity of which I witnessed at the opening ceremonies,” he said.
A visit of Mr Hun Sen to France in December last year and his meeting with France president Emmanuel Macron at the Palais de L’Elysée, “have given a new impulse to our relationship”, he added.
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