Islamabad: French Ambassador to Pakistan Nicolas Galey yesterday reaffirmed France’s commitment to further strengthening its longstanding partnership with Pakistan, highlighting the progress achieved in bilateral relations over the past four and a half years while commending Islamabad’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability.
Speaking at the celebrations marking France’s National Day, popularly known as Bastille Day, Ambassador Galey said Pakistan and France have continued to deepen cooperation across a wide range of sectors, reflecting the strength of their longstanding diplomatic relationship and shared commitment to international peace, dialogue and development. Reflecting on his diplomatic tenure in Pakistan, the ambassador expressed satisfaction over the expansion of bilateral engagement and thanked Pakistani authorities for their cooperation in advancing ties between the two countries.
He said France highly values Pakistan’s constructive role in encouraging peace and stability in the region and acknowledged Islamabad’s efforts to promote dialogue amid evolving regional challenges. Ambassador Galey also addressed major international issues, condemning Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and expressing concern over the humanitarian consequences of the conflict, particularly the loss of civilian lives. He further voiced France’s strong support for the Palestinian people, calling for renewed international efforts to address the humanitarian situation and achieve a just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue.
The ceremony was attended by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb as the chief guest, along with senior diplomats, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps, including United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher. Addressing the gathering, Aurangzeb reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its historic partnership with France while emphasizing the importance of expanding cooperation in trade, investment and economic development.
He said Pakistan would continue playing a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir would continue diplomatic efforts aimed at encouraging dialogue and reducing regional tensions. The finance minister described France as an important partner of Pakistan and stressed that both countries enjoy broad-based cooperation spanning economic engagement, education, culture and development initiatives.
He said Islamabad remains committed to further enhancing bilateral collaboration for the mutual benefit of both nations. Aurangzeb also highlighted the significance of the European Union’s Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework, noting that the preferential trade arrangement has substantially benefited Pakistan’s export sector, supported industrial expansion and generated employment opportunities.
He said France, as a key member of the European Union, has played an important role in strengthening Pakistan’s economic engagement with Europe. The Bastille Day celebrations reflected the warm and growing relationship between Pakistan and France, with both sides expressing confidence that bilateral cooperation would continue to expand in areas including trade, investment, education, culture, defence and people-to-people exchanges. France’s National Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, a defining event of the French Revolution that came to symbolize the republican ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity.
