"Thanks to especial interest & support of you gathered here for the development of bilateral ties, relations between Korea and France are developing day by day", Amb. Pasquier

In his welcoming remarks to mark the 225th Bastille Day, France's National Day, held on July 14th luncheon reception, 2014 at the Amb's residence, French Amb. Jerome Pasquier to Korea, stressed the growing ties between the two countries, not only for cultural fields, but also for science technology & economy.

   
▲ After finishing his welcoming remarks to commemorate the Bastille Day 2014, French Amb. Jerome Pasquier (right) toasts with Senior Secretary Ju Chul-ki(center) to the President for Foreign Affairs & National Security, Office of the President, Republic of Korea.
Expressing his deep appreciation to 49 sponsors who made the Bastille Day reception possible at the France Embassy including SPC, AIRBUS Group, Renault Samsung Motor & Novotel to name just a few, Pasquier touched upon long friendship & cooperation between Korea and France dating back to almost 130 years through his speech.
For one example, the Ambassador noted the fact that the Embassy of France can't change the venue of the Bastille Day reception every year from the Hapdong-based Embassy residence because the Embassy building of France has been recognized as a symbol of friendship & cooperation between Korea and France since architect Kim Joong-up completed it in 1962 by giving shape to the beauty of Korean tradition.

   
▲ French Amb. Jerome Pasquier & partner Philippe Li from lawfirm Jones Day in Paris, former chairman of the French-Korean Chamber of Commerce (second & third from right) pose with guests during the function.
Amb. Pasquier said that celebrations marking the 130 years of our diplomatic relations (1886-2016) will run from Sep. 2015 up until the end of 2016. This "Korea-France Year" will offer many opportunities to get to know each other better and to find new channels of cooperation, in the field of culture, but also sciences, higher education, tourism and trade, he added. He encouraged fellow countrymen by not forgetting to mention that France residents in Korea including French businessmen play an important role for the development of bilateral economic cooperation.
The significance of the Bastille Day this year holds more special meaning on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the World War I among others, according to the Embassy of France in Seoul.
July 14th, the Bastille Day which symbolizes freedom, equality, & philanthropy, don't have direct involvement with the World War I, but was commemorated as part of events to commemorate the World War I in Paris.
French President Francois Hollande said by his congratulatory message to congratulate the Bastille Day 2014 that the half of the entire world representing each countries will gather at a main street of Champs-Elysees in Paris in order to convey messages of peace and solidarity.

   
 
   
 Military parade & firework over the Eiffel tower to congratulate the Bastille Day. (Courtesy: Embassy of France)

Three monumental events are being planned on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the World War I until November, this year, according to the press release.
On Aug. 3rd which Germany declared war on France, French President Francois Hollande and Germany President Joachim Gauck will cherish the memory of the war dead in Hartmannswillerkopf (Haut-Rhin). Secondly, the event to commemorate the victory of Marne Battle (la bataille de la Marne) is scheduled to be held on the upcoming Sep. 12th. Lastly, the event to mark the end of the World War I is slated to be held as an international event along with related countries in Pas-de-Calais on Nov. 11.

 

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