Honore Koua
14 July 2011
French Prime Minister yesterday began an official visit to Ivory Coast with a delegation of a hundred business people. Leading economic partner of its former colony, France has already in the country about 600 companies employing 360,000 Ivorian.
Mr François Fillon’s visit is set to boost economic relations between the two countries and also strengthen their historical bonds. The Paris-Abidjan connection had gradually deteriorated over the past decade under the presidency of Mr Laurent Gbagbo.
Africa, Asia partnerships
While publicly accusing France of supporting the armed rebellion that split the country in 2002, the former head of state favoured partnerships between Asia and Africa.
Unlike Mr Gbagbo, his successor Mr Alassane Ouattara is deemed to be an ally of France, who greatly supported him diplomatically and militarily during his rise to power.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, his friend for 20 years, was present at his inauguration on May 21.
French Prime Minister and his delegation consisting of businessmen and three ministers and parliamentarians were expected to arrive in Abidjan late Thursday after attending the official ceremonies of the national holiday of France in Paris.
During his Ivorian visit, Mr Fillon is expected to attend a ceremony of pay homage to French businessmen killed during the crisis and will meet the French troops stationed in the country.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Taken from:
Nation, France in Business Partnership