Three months after he handed in his lettres de créance, the French ambassador in Australia, Pierre-André Imbert, provides his impressions of the French community in Australia and reflects on the various ongoing initiatives that contribute to the development of French-Australian bilateral relations.
There are numerous French diplomatic activities taking place at the moment, the latest one being the announcement of the opening of a Consulate General of France in Melbourne in September. Why are you reopening it 24 years after it closed down?
It is part of a global process initiated by the French President and the government so as to review the extension and size of the diplomatic network regarding the 11th district of the French living abroad. That means opening not only a new embassy in Samoa but also a new Consulate General in Melbourne. It also translates into the reinforcement of workforce in the Pacific countries with which we cooperate.
The new consulate in Melbourne shows how the French government believes in bilateral relations with Australia and our will to work more together, which started with the bilateral road map. It also aims at assisting the development of French community and companies in Australia, a lot of which are located in Melbourne. Having again a double Consulate General also acts as a useful and efficient network to intensify the development of bilateral cooperation and of our interests in the region.
I would like to pay tribute to the incredible, constant and innovative action of Myriam Boisbouvier Wylie, who worked so much as honorary consul during 13 years that we could have believed that there was already a fully working consulate in Melbourne. Myriam has by the way accepted to continue to get involved in the development of bilateral relations by accepting to become president of the French-Australian Cultural Exchange Foundation (FACEF), a new foundation for the artistic and cultural development between both countries. The foundation will be based in Melbourne but is designed to address national and indopacific affairs.
Melbourne is also home to the second creation of the bilateral road map: the French-Australian Centre for energy transition in Swinburne. This centre is sponsored by the University of Swinburne, the Commission for atomic energy and alternative energy and the University of Grenoble Alpes. Its goal is to create new partnerships and assist the development of new projects for all universities, research institutions, French and Australian industries and, through them, the whole indo-pacific region.
The point was also to have an official diplomatic anchor point with a Consulate General. It gives emphasis to all of our institutions and will enable us to have a point of reference to exchange with our compatriots, who are more and more present in Australia.
In September, the new Consulate will open and we will plan its new activities. It is very good news. Opening the Consulate General 170 years after the creation of the first consular agency in Australia is a beautiful symbol.
Are you strengthening the French presence in the indopacific region for economic and geopolitical reasons?
Everything is linked together. There are 2 million French people living in the indopacific region: they are lives, but also cultural, economic, diplomatic, military and security links. There are a lot of global, regional and local stakes, for which the French diplomatic presence is important. I am thinking in terms of the economy, the environment, agriculture and the military, among others.
We are also working to strengthen our presence through development projects. Remember President Macron’s declarations during his visit in Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea last year, that had led to an increasing number of French actions in the region…
So as in Australia. France and Australia are very active in many fields including transport and renewable energies…
All the countries in the world, especially the developed countries, are committed to an energy transition and a significant change in development pattern.
There are indeed big and smaller French companies that are very competitive and that share their savoir-faire in Australia. They have sometimes been here for a long time and are often directed by Australians, as a way to reconcile their development and keep hold of their roots, which enables them to work with the Australian lifeblood in key sectors: transport, remediation, potable water, energy… There are indeed amazing French companies here that are ready to do even more.
There are indeed nice prospects for the development of bilateral relations. You have been in Australia for less than three months and you often meet with the French-Australian community, that has the reputation of being very dynamic…
I am really impressed by the dynamism of French-Australian relations, especially in the scientific field. Whether it is in universities or in research centres, there are always French people, delighted to be here because they feel good in this country. There is also a lot of cooperation with French companies that are everywhere in the country and want to develop and cooperate even more. And I am not talking about cultural exchanges between big institutions.
It is a real pleasure to be associated with this energy and I am trying, in this big country, to help, to encourage good initiatives for cooperation. It is demanding, but it is a real pleasure.
Some important events are around the corner: Bastille Day, the Olympics… events that participate in the creation of a beautiful image for France abroad, including in Australia.
There are a lot of initiatives that show how involved we are in the values that we support internationally, including Olympism. We are thrilled to welcome the whole world in Paris 2024 but also in the Pacific with the surf competition taking place in Tahiti. I already feel Australia’s passion for sports. I am delighted to watch the Olympic Games from here with my Australian friends.
Some beautiful events will take place in the next few weeks. Indeed, next week, we are organising an event to celebrate relations between France and the Aboriginal people of Australia, who share 200 years of history. It will also be the first time a French representative adopts the Acknowledgement of Country. The adoption of this practice shows that France is aligned with the federal practice of the States, the foreign mission and the whole Australian population.
Another event that will take place around June, July, and that had not occurred since Covid : Le Goût de France. A whole month dedicated to French gastronomy in Australia. From the 24th of June until the opening of the Olympics, the spotlight will be on the French and Australians that have their heart set on cuisine. This event unites everyone around French cuisine and makes it a topic of discussion, that is absolutely indispensable.
It reminds me of the successful French Film Festival organised by the Alliance française, that sold nearly 200 000 tickets. There is a real enthusiasm around French culture that we must cherish. I am going to work hard for it to continue, alongside the community.
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