French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on June 26 officially launched the year-long program celebrating the 75th year of history, friendship, and partnership between France and the Philippines at the Pinto Art Museum.

Diplomatic relations between France and the Philippines were formalized with the signing of the Treaty of Amity by Philippine Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Elpidio Quirino and French Minister for Foreign Affairs Georges Bidault in Paris on June 26, 1947. For more than seven decades, France and the Philippines have deepened and broadened their ties in several areas such as economic cooperation, climate action, and cultural action. This 75th anniversary of Philippine-French ties is therefore an occasion to celebrate the many facets of their long-standing relationship through a rich and diverse program of activities organized throughout 2022.'The Philippines and France have had meaningful exchanges throughout the years, most notably in culture, trade, development, education, and defense. Indeed, there is still much to discover and learn from each other, which is why this 75th anniversary celebration is an occasion to look back on our shared history and envision a closer partnership between our two countries over the next 75 years,' French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz said during the opening ceremonies.