In celebration of the ASEAN Community that had been established on 31 December 2015, the ASEAN Committee in Paris (ACP) welcomed guests to an ASEAN Commemorative event at Hotel Le Meurice in Paris on 8 March 2016. Among the guests were key French government officials, French captains of industry, and representatives of foreign missions in France.
The memorable, meaningful, and magnificent night begun with those in attendance treated to a short informative introductory video on ASEAN before the welcome remarks. Her Excellency, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Ambassador of the Philippines to France, then delivered a speech in her capacity as the Chairperson of the ACP. Building on the message of the video, Her Excellency beamed that ASEAN is a community that is stable, prosperous, outward looking and bonded together in partnership to foster, among others, dynamic development and caring societies.
After a rousing round of approval from the attendees, Mr. Philippe Varin represented the French government when he proceeded with his speech. Latching on to the refrain of ASEAN being a dynamic region, Mr. Varin concurred in his remarks that the attractiveness of the region is attributed to its dynamism. Seeking to strengthen economic cooperation, Mr. Varin requested consideration be given to expanding relations in the priority sectors of health, food, renewable energy, and technology.
A photo session involving all the ASEAN Ambassadors and Chargés d’affaires with Mr. Varin ensued. Following the session, guests were invited to savour the various delicacies from each of the ten ASEAN Member States.
