French envoy to PH bids the country adieux
FINAL TOAST. It may or may not be his last toast in the country, but here’s H.E. Thierry Mathou leading this year’s celebration of Bastille Day in the Philippines with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea./IMAGE Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia
The Filipino community will be seeing less of French Ambassador to the Philippines Thierry Mathou as he bids farewell to the country he has called his home since September of 2015.
French Amb Thierry Mathou bids farewell to the Philippines as he begins his new mission in Paris! Congrats & best wishes, Mr. Ambassador! pic.twitter.com/KHO2muJeTl
— France in the PHL (@FrenchEmbassyPH) August 1, 2017
Mathou left the country last July 28 for Paris to assume his new post as the Director for Asia and Oceania at France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. He thanked everyone he has met and worked with in the Philippines.
He said he is excited for the opportunity given to him, but also leaves the country “with many regrets after two years in the Philippines.”
Après deux ans en poste aux Philippines, l’Ambassadeur de France M. Thierry Mathou fait ses adieux à tous ceux qui ont contribué au renforcement des relations entre la France et les Philippines. Il commence cette semaine ses nouvelles fonctions en tant que Directeur d’Asie et d’Océanie au Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères. After two years in the Philippines, Ambassador Thierry Mathou bids his farewell to all those who have contributed to the strengthening of ties between France and the Philippines. This week, he begins his new position as Director for Asia and Oceania at France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Read his message in English: "Hello everyone. I am about to leave Manila in a few hours with great enthusiasm for the duties that await me in Paris, but also with many regrets after two years in the Philippines. It is an exceptional country, very different from what I've experienced elsewhere in Asia but where I learned a lot. And I especially thank you, all those on the ground – NGOs, companies – who have contributed to the image of France. So again, it is a feeling of regret and sentiment, but also of great pride to have been able to contribute, to join you in promoting the values of France in this country. So I wish you all the best and I hope to have the opportunity to cross paths with you again soon – because I will probably have the opportunity to come back to the Philippines. Mabuhay! Goodbye."
Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesiaさんの投稿 2017年8月1日
“It is an exceptional country, very different from what I’ve experienced elsewhere in Asia but where I learned a lot,” he said in his goodbye video posted on the French Embassy’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
All may not be lost, however, as he hopes he gets to visit the country in the future. “I will probably have the opportunity to come back to the Philippines,” Mathou said towards the end of his message.
His sudden departure was met with a lot of thanks from both Filipinos and the local French community.
Written by: Andronico Del Rosario
Image source: Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia
