PARIS, France) President Benigno S. Aquino III shares a light moment with French President Francois Hollande during the Joint Press Statement at the ground floor of the Palais de l’Elysee on Wednesday (September 17). (MNS photo)
PARIS, France, Sept 18 (Mabuhay) – The Philippines and France further strengthened its bilateral relations with the signing of several agreements on transportation and communications, culture and education.
In a statement delivered after his meeting with French President François Hollande, President Benigno S. Aquino III said these agreements “will facilitate meaningful dialogue and fruitful exchanges between our two countries.”
One of these is the agreement on air services, which was signed by Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Laurent Fabius.
President Aquino and President Hollande witnessed the signing during a simple ceremony held at the Elyseé Palace.
According to President Aquino, the air services agreement would “open more doors of opportunity for both our peoples, as we strengthen tourism, trade, business activity and our people-to-people ties.”
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the École Nationale d’Administration and the Development Academy of the Philippines, and the 2014-2017 Administrative Agreement on Cultural Cooperation.
“The agreement between the École Nationale d’Administration and the Development Academy of the Philippines looks into the establishment of training and exchanges that will benefit our many civil servants in the Philippines, as they work to provide improved services,” Pre