Windhoek
France celebrated its 226th Independence Day on Tuesday and recalled the recent terrorist attacks against Charlie Hebdo magazine and a supermarket in Paris that shook the world.
Speaking at the celebrations at the French Embassy in Windhoek, French Ambassador Jacqueline Bassa-Mazzoni praised the ever-growing and improving relations between Namibia and France on the political, social and development levels, saying France shares the same values with Namibia on freedom, equality and fraternity.
“These attacks remind us that freedom is under attack everywhere and that it is a most valuable asset to be protected. France and Namibia are committed to fighting terrorism,” she noted.
She lauded Namibia for being a model of stability and peace on the continent, and reiterated France’s commitment to helping Namibia in its fight against climate change. “The first solar power plant, built by a Franco-Namibian company, InnoSun, was launched two months ago by the Founding Father of the Nation, Dr Sam Nujoma, as a first step in this battle against climate change,” she said.
Both she and the Namibian Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Peya Mushelenga, commented on the excellent relations between the two countries on the political and educational level, as well as in cultural fields, also emphasizing that Namibia and France are now entering into a new economic relationship.
“As part of the strategy of the new government to accelerate economic development, several French companies are investing more and more in Namibia.
The many advantages of Namibia constitute opportunities for the private sector, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure, agri-business and tourism in which French companies have expertise to share,” Bassa-Mazzoni said.