FRENCH NATIONAL DAY 
Bastille Day Speech
By
Ambassador Jacques Lapouge
14 July 2011
Honourable Mrs Mahlangu-Nkabinde, Minister of Public Works,
Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Last year, on this date, a few days after the end of the World Cup, I thought that the most intense part of my mission in South Africa was behind me. Well, I was wrong. This has been another very rich year.
For South Africa first, and let me mention just a few facts and moments that I recall from these twelve months:
For South Africa first, and let me mention just a few facts and moments that I recall from these twelve months:
- the diplomatic achievements: a member of the UN Security Council and the BRICS, a leader in promoting solutions to African crises, South Africa has been everywhere on the international stage;
- the successful hosting of local elections as the lastest illustration of the solidity of democracy in South Africa;
- the adoption of an ambitious and responsible electricity mix for the country, aiming at a significant reduction of CO2 emissions through the development of renewable and nuclear energy;
- the unity and the emotion of the whole country after the passing of two historic figures, Albertina Sisulu and Kader Asmal, who had so many friends in our diplomatic community;
- and the year is not over: in December we will all take part to the COP 17 on fighting climate change, a major responsibility for all our countries, but a special one for South Africa, which will be our chairman. It is no exaggeration to state that part of the future of mankind will be at stake then, in Durban.
By the way, it has been particularly impressive to see how South Africa in general and, this year, Durban in particular are becoming major venues for international events, as we witnessed again last week with the very well organized session of the International Olympic Committee. And I want to congratulate my South Korean colleagues for the brilliant win of PyongCheong for the winter olympic games of 2018. The French bid was much less successful, that’s an understatement, and I now have the conviction that the months of July in South Africa are deadly for the French sporting endeavours… Thank God the Rugby World Cup will be played in September in New Zealand.
Fortunately, sports apart, it was another excellent year for France in South Africa and for the relationship between our two countries.
Obviously, there was the successful State visit of President Zuma to France last March, which allowed us to consolidate our partnership in so many fields, from energy to development cooperation, from culture to business.
And since January first, as fellow members of the UN Security Council, we have had a very intense political dialogue on the crisis of the hour, mainly Côte d’Ivoire and Libya. It was sometimes complex but always constructive, with a sincere wish to work together for solutions, as real partners should do.
Our dialogue has also been permanent on global issues. France is chairing the G20 in 2011 and we really count on South Africa, as the only African member of the group, to help us ensure the success of the Cannes summit, this November. In this regard, I want to thank the South African authorities for having hosted a very productive meeting of the G20 Development Working Group two weeks ago in Cape Town.
I am particularly happy with the development of our economic relationship. Bilateral trade has increased by more than 30 pc in the first five months of 2011; a new economic mission UBIFRANCE has been created to help French companies develop industrial and commercial partnerships in South Africa; some of our companies have concluded important deals, for example the new West Africa Cable System, delivered by Alcatel, or many components of the giant power plants of Medupi and Kusile by Alstom. And let’s not forget the Gautrain: the second phase of the project, eagerly awaited in Pretoria, is very much, like the first one, a Bouygues and RATP affair.
But this is not of course a one way street: a few month ago, the South African group Steinhoff bought the main French furniture company, Conforama, for 1,2 billion euros.
I also want to stress the increasing role of the French Development Agency. South Africa is one of its major partners in the world and it has decided to focus its funding on two themes: cooperation with municipalities to develop basic services, water, housing, transport and energy; and the fight against climate change, for example by funding the first Eskom windfarm or the climate plan of the Durban municipality.
People to people links are more and more important in modern diplomacy. And in this regard, the opening by Air France of a new connection between Paris and Cape Town three times a week from next November is excellent news for our relationship with the Western Cape province.
I am also pleased to announce the launch of the new website of the Embassy. It will enable our mission to utilise some of the most modern communication platforms, such as Twitter, YouTube and other social media, in order to increase the following of the Embassy’s activities. Some calling cards with the site address have been distributed, so please switch on to our new site.
Finally, our two governments have decided that in 2012 there would be a season of France in South Africa, from June to October, and, in 2013 a season of South Africa in France. This will be an occasion for each country to offer to the other the best of its culture, of course, but also of its science, its gastronomy, its economic and tourism assets… What an exciting prospect, and I can guarantee you that the Bastille Day next year will be something really special and I already invite you to come back to share it with us.
But for now, I would like to thank you again for your presence and for the excellent working relations we have developed. My thanks go in particular to the European desk of DIRCO and to my colleagues Ambassadors and High commissionners who are leaving South Africa this summer. With a special mention to two friends representing neighbours of France and who have done a splendid job here, especially during the World Cup, Dieter Haller from Germany and Rob de Vos from the Netherlands.
I invite you now to join me in a toast for the good health and success of the President, his Excellency Jacob Zuma, and the people of the Republic of South Africa.
EMBASSY OF FRANCE SOUTH AFRICA
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