French Ambassador hosts a farewell reception
By Natalia Kochiashvili
Thursday, August 8
Ambassador of France to Georgia, H.E. Pascal Meunier hosted a reception say farewell to his friends and colleagues he has worked with during his 4 years in Georgia.
H.E. Meunier has been French ambassador to Georgia since March 2016. Earlier in his career, he was an ambassador of France to Azerbaijan in years 2012-15.
During his farewell speech, the ambassador recalled important events from his service, such as 1st visit of Minister of Defence of France Jean-Yves Le Drian to Georgia in September of 2016. As noted by Meunier, Jean-Yves Le Drian also paid an official visit to Georgia two years later in 2018, but this time as Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France attending celebration of the 100th anniversary of the democratic republic of Georgia in Tbilisi. H.E. Meunier also mentioned the visit of President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili to France, calling it a historical event. He also noted that his successor will have the honour of organizing the visit of President of France, Emmanuel Macron to Georgia.
It’s noteworthy that the ambassador talked about important projects of Georgia. He wished success and good future to the important project of Deep Sea Port of Anaklia, that is to become a hub between Asia and Europe and has many possibilities and perspectives.
H.E. Meunier also talked about the Franco-Georgian university that was established during his service in May 2018 based on the agreement between the governments of two countries. He thanked his embassy colleagues, Minister of Education of Georgia, President of UFG and TSU for all the support that was essential to making this project a reality.
Attention was also drawn to the new policy of accompanying Georgia in reconciliation with Abkhazia. “Times has come for reconciliation,” said the ambassador. According to him, Georgia needs to have all these energies from different parties and population to build a better future together. He stressed the importance of healthcare services that is part of the apolitical approach and towards which French doctors, together with their Georgian and Abkhaz colleagues, direct their contributions.
Finally, the French ambassador thanked Georgia and Georgian hospitality for all the happiness that it gave him. “We have really lived Georgian hospitality; people are so nice that we can forgive anything else. They’ve been so nice during the whole history that everybody likes Georgia and I am sure that more French people will here for vacation,” said the diplomat.
Special appreciation words were expressed for his newly acquired friends, French embassy team, and Georgian administration for their strong support.
The diplomat also announced that together with the new French ambassador, he will hold ambassadorial in the upcoming week. After a farewell speech on behalf of diplomatic corps Ambassador of Brazil to Georgia, H.E. Cicero Martins Garcia thanked French ambassador for being a great friend and colleague and gifted ceremonial dagger.
