Ambassador relays to French president invitation to visit PHL

The new Philippine ambassador to France, Cristina Ortega, relayed to French President Nicolas Sarkozy an invitation from President Benigno Aquino III to visit the Philippines. Ortega informed Sarkozy of the invitation when she presented her credentials to him at the Elysée Palace in Paris last December 22. "She proposed that the visit could be timed when the French President would be in the region to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Vientiane in November 2012," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. According to the DFA, Sarkozy said he would look into the possibility of visiting the Philippines. 'Elegance to the Elysée' During the meeting, Sarkozy also complimented Ortega in the middle of her presentation by remarking that she "brought elegance to the Elysée." At the time, she stood out in a yellow terno in a sea of black suits, the DFA said. "Ambassador Ortega was one of the very few who went to the Elysée Palace in a national dress," the DFA said. Ortega had joined 20 other ambassadors in presenting their credentials to Sarkozy. During the ceremonies, President Sarkozy told the Ambassadors that he recognized the importance of their work in fostering bilateral relations, and their role in promoting the necessary reforms in the international community. He also assured them that the President's Office and the French Foreign Ministry stood ready to assist the Ambassadors in their work. The ceremonies concluded with a champagne reception. France is one of the main drivers of growth in the European Union, which is a major economic and development partner of the Philippines. It is the 17th largest Philippine trading partner, and is the third biggest source of tourist arrivals from Europe, after the United Kingdom and Germany. There are some 40,000 Filipinos staying in France, the DFA said. - VVP, GMA News