As an icon of French Renaissance architecture and the site where King Francis I signed an ordinance that made the French language compulsory for all official documents
The Cité Internationale de la Langue Française was inaugurated at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts with the help of integrator ETC Audiovisuel
undertook the AV integration project assisted by more than a dozen Digital Projection laser projectors
The restoration of the Château de Villers-Cotterêts was no easy feat
requiring significant restoration efforts before the audiovisual system could be installed
As a major project for ETC Audiovisuel in 2023
consisting of more than 60 audiovisual areas using nearly 80 screens and 25 video projectors
including 15 Digital Projection E-Vision laser 11000 4K-UHD and E-Vision 7500 laser projectors
as well as ten ETC Audiovisuel’s media servers
handling the necessary warping and blending
The Onlyview server brings a suite of tools
which were used to achieve AV rendering conceptualised by the Projectile set design company
Equipped with a 1,200 sq.m exhibition area and 15 rooms divided into three sections
the Cité Internationale de la Langue Française opted for a single ceiling-mounted Digital Projection E-Vision laser 7599 4K-UHD projectors onto a 2.9m-wide semi-spheric inverted table
The une langue monde (a global language) section
the la langue dans tous ses états exhibit focuses on trips around the world
with three ceiling-mounted Digital Projection E-Vision laser 4K UHD laser projectors provide content for
each hosting four ceiling-hung and wall-mounted projection screens with a third area hosting six more projection screens of various sizes and heights
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today announced that he will travel to Villers-Cotterêts and Paris
to participate in the 19th Sommet de la Francophonie
the Prime Minister will defend and promote the French language
He will work with the other heads of states and governments of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie to advance shared values
He will also champion other important priorities
and economic co-operation within La Francophonie to foster growth that benefits everyone
The Prime Minister will meet with his counterparts
to promote partnership on shared priorities and challenges
Prime Minister Trudeau will highlight the richness and diversity of Canada’s Francophone cultures and the essential role that Francophone communities continue to play in building a better
The Summit will also be attended by representatives from New Brunswick
as well as civil society leaders and members of the business community
who will contribute to the Canadian pavilions at the Francophonie Village and the FrancoTech fair
The Prime Minister’s participation in the Summit will help strengthen Canada’s relations with the other states and governments of La Francophonie
and advance solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges that impact countries within La Francophonie
“The Sommet de la Francophonie will be an opportunity for Canada to continue its close collaboration with the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie
including its member states and governments
to protect and promote the French language
and promote our common values such as peace
Prime Minister of Canada @CanadianPM
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam attended the opening session of the 19th Francophonie Summit held at Villers-Cotterêts castle
Paris (VNA) - General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam attended the opening session of the 19th Francophonie Summit held at Villers-Cotterêts castle
and Entrepreneurship in French," French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised the special bond between countries that use French
saying that the Francophone community needs to continue promoting cooperation so that French becomes the language of culture
He highlighted the fundamental values of the Francophone community which are solidarity
recognition of cultural and linguistic diversity as well as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries
Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo said that the organisation will continue reforming to meet rapid changes of the current situation
while promoting teaching and learning in French
the top Vietnamese leader attended a banquet hosted by the French President
and witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation between Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Benin’s Ministry of Agriculture
Lam is set to deliver a key speech at the summit on October 5
He will have meetings and discussions with leaders of many countries and international organisations to boost bilateral and multilateral diplomatic
The 19 Francophonie Summit is taking place on October 4-5 in France
The opening session was held at Villers-Cotterêts castle
Various activities are being held within the summit’s framework
Francophone cultural village and Francophone festival./
boasting a population of more than 1.2 billion people and accounting for 16% of the global GDP and 20% of the global trade
has been a potential land for economic and investment cooperation and trade exchange
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam said on October 4
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his entourage arrived at Orly Airport in Paris in the evening of October 3 (local time)
starting their participation in the 19th Francophonie Summit and an official visit to France from October 3-7 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron
The state visit underscored the commitment of Vietnam and Sri Lanka to cherish their longstanding friendship and expand all-around cooperation
Rijiju reaffirmed India’s consistent stance on supporting the principles of respecting international law
including the United Nations Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
The upcoming state visit to Azerbaijan by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam will mark a new chapter in strengthening the relations between the two countries
Party General Secretary To Lam acknowledged the award as recognition of the decades-long cooperation between Vietnam and Kazakhstan
symbolising the affection and trust between the two countries’ people
The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Television and Radio Complex of the President of Kazakhstan also signed a cooperation agreement on this occasion
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency
sectors and localities continued to reorganise the political system and build a two-level local administration model
An official welcome ceremony was chaired by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayevon on May 6 morning for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly
who are on a three-day state visit to the Central Asian country
Party General Secretary To Lam addresses the Vietnam–Kazakhstan Business Roundtable in Astana on May 6 as part of his ongoing state visit to Kazakhstan
The Party and State of Vietnam highly value and create favourable conditions for religions
to operate within the framework of the law
The nationwide launch of major national projects in celebration of the 80th anniversary of National Day is scheduled for August 19
some deputies underlined the need for more clearly defined criteria for allowing teachers to work beyond the standard retirement threshold
with particular concern expressed about its suitability in the pre-school and general education levels
Sailing vessel 286-Le Quy Don of the Naval Academy and a delegation of the Vietnam People’s Navy left Nha Trang city
the south central province of Khanh Hoa on May 5 for visits and exchanges with the navies of China and the Philippines
The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency
Stressing the importance of cooperation between the Senate of Kazakhstan and Vietnam’s National Assembly
the two leaders agreed to promote collaboration
increase delegation exchanges via parliamentary channels
Party General Secretary To Lam praised the Vietnamese community in Kazakhstan for their integration into the local society
as well as their solidarity and efforts to preserve the national identity
Vietnam always values Sri Lanka’s invaluable support during its past struggle for national independence
as well as in its ongoing renewal and international integration
the full draft resolution on the supplementations and amendments to some articles of the 2013 Constitution and accompanying documents will be publicised for public comment
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was present at the airport to welcome the Vietnamese leader and delegation
Sri Lanka regards Vietnam as a source of inspiration and encouragement in its own quest for progress and recovery
2008 by the Ministry of Information and Communications
Email: vietnamplus@vnanet.vn
Reproduction in any form is prohibited without written consent
Announcement: we are delighted to announce the birth of the Cité internationale de la langue française
this new cultural centre focuses on all the cultures of the French-speaking world
And it’s no coincidence that such an establishment is being set up in Villers-Cotterêts
since it was here almost 500 years ago that François I promulgated the decree that made French the official language of the Kingdom
So what is the history of the Château de Villers-Cotterêts
And what will you be able to discover in this brand new Cité internationale de la langue française
Here’s an overview of what’s in store
Article produced in collaboration with the Centre des monuments nationaux
French history was at a turning point: Francis I had just been defeated by Charles V’s troops at the Battle of Pavia
the king would not be released until a year later
the King had to take control of his kingdom once again and forge closer ties with the Parliament of Paris and the Faculty of Theology
which had taken full advantage of his absence to assert their autonomy
Francis I made Paris his main residence and launched a number of construction projects in the Paris region
he constructed or remodelled nearly seven châteaux in less than fifteen years
including the Louvre and the Château de Fontainebleau
One of these many projects was the Château de Villers-Cotterêts
the estate was already a magnet due to its proximity to the Retz forest
poetically described as a “forest amphitheatre” due to its horseshoe shape surrounding the town
François I wanted to bring the Court here from time to time to enjoy the pleasures of the hunt
The kings of France enjoyed Villers-Cotterêts
which became an informal capital of the Kingdom of France for the duration of their stays
so much so that Francis I nicknamed the château “Mon Plaisir” (My Pleasure)
Philippe II d’Orléans celebrated the coronation of Louis XV with 1,000 guests and Molière’s troupe staged a performance of ” Le Tartuffe ou l’Hypocrite ” in 1664
Villers-Cotterêts is also a major political centre
It was here that François I signed the famous Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts in 1539
the Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts makes French the official language of the administration
It is the oldest piece of legislation still in force in France
The aim of this ordinance was to make legal documents easier to understand
which was only written and understood by the elite
It was a founding text that enabled the administration to communicate more easily with the people
The Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts also required churches to keep a register of baptisms and burials
Article 110: In order that there should be no cause for doubt as to the understanding of court rulings
we wish and order that they be made and written so clearly that there is
Article 111: And because such things have often happened with regard to the understanding of the Latin words contained in the said rulings
whether of our sovereign courts and other subaltern and inferior courts
Villers-Cotterêts was seized as national property
It became in turn a barracks for the Republican army
a begging depot and then an old people’s home
The sumptuous rooms were transformed into refectories
the retirement home moved out of the château and into more modern buildings
This raised the question of what to do with the castle
which was then empty and in an alarming state of disrepair
Emmanuel Macron expressed the wish to turn the château into a laboratory dedicated to the French language
in a nod to the ordinance signed here 5 centuries ago
This led to the launch of a vast campaign to restore the château
with the aim of opening the Cité internationale de la langue française in October 2023
The Cité internationale de la langue française has just opened its doors. This brand new space, managed by the Centre des monuments nationaux
an artistic stage… it is a protean establishment that has just seen the light of day
you’re bound to notice this impressive glass roof covered with a lexical sky
slang and others that have only recently made their way into the dictionary
chosen with the residents of Villers-Cotterêts
symbolise the diversity of the French language
The first room on the tour is open to visitors free of charge
It explains the history of the château and highlights the links between Villers-Cotterêts and the French language
A number of portraits of writers from the region – including Alexandre Dumas
who was born in Villers-Cotterêts – as well as testimonials from local residents
show the region’s attachment to its castle and its language
but each region has its own way of using it
It’s a language that evolves and travels
The permanent exhibition invites you to explore all the specific features of this rich language through 62 interactive displays
The tour begins with a presentation of French as a “world language”
its distribution around the world and its relationship with other languages
Don’t miss the “magic library”
where a virtual librarian will offer you a personalised reading recommendation
you can explore sounds and words from all over the world
72 regional languages are officially recognised
you can discover them all thanks to a number of interactive features
You can also discover how words are formed and travel inside a 360° dome that evokes the transformation of language through cultural and commercial exchanges
which has been at the heart of nation-building since the Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts
a wide-ranging programme of artistic events will be staged to showcase the diversity of the French-speaking world
The auditorium of the Cité internationale de la langue française will host dance
This vast programme has been put together with over 80 partners
national and international institutions working on the French language
As well as the tour route and cultural programme
the Cité also houses a café and a bookshop-boutique
or simply walk through it to get to the forest behind the château
Admission to the Cité internationale de la langue française is free with the Passion Monuments card
which gives you unlimited access to around a hundred monuments throughout France
Address :Cité internationale de la langue française1 place Aristide BriandVillers-Cotterêts
Opening times :Opening on 1 November 2023Tuesday to Sunday
Website:https://www.cite-langue-francaise.fr/
This article was produced in collaboration with the Centre des Monuments NationauxThanks to Juliette
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bringing together more than 50 heads of state and around 100 delegations
The summit is organised by the Organisation Internationale de Francophonie
including Malta as an observer state since 2018
We are honoured to learn that Malta’s Education Minister Clifton Grima is attending the summit
French may have lost its place as the language of international diplomacy but the language of Molière is no less dynamic and has a long future ahead of it
It is the fifth most-widely spoken language in the world after English
It currently has 326 million speakers and might have 500 million by 2050 and 720 million by 2070
60 per cent of French speakers are found on the African continent
A new museum dedicated to the French language
This summit is special in that the inaugural session was held in the new museum of the history and diversity of the French language at Villers-Cotterêts
The Cité internationale de la langue française is located in a royal Renaissance château
restored in 2023 on the initiative of the President of the French Republic
This place is steeped in history: it was here that King François I signed an ordinance in 1539 establishing French as the language of government
built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition and recently renovated
is hosting the plenary sessions of the heads of state
debates and artistic performances will take centre stage in a number of Parisian cultural venues
showcasing French-speaking companies in the fields of artificial intelligence
Malta and France have much to do to defend multilingualism and linguistic diversity in international forums- Sandrine Lelong-Motta
The Francophonie agenda has identified four key priorities: continuing to support and train French teachers around the world; making La Francophonie a forum for diplomatic convergence; ensuring that French is not ostracised by the algorithms of the digital world; and promoting French as a language of commerce and law
particularly to help developing countries unify their domestic markets and integrate into globalisation
I was delighted to discover that the Maltese language has a French vocabulary and
according to a Eurobarometer published in 2024
13 per cent of Maltese are French-speaking
Some TV packages in Malta offer channels in French
but also the French public service channels France 2 and France 3 and France 24
which are an opportunity to hear some French at the end of the day
I am very happy to have started to meet the French teachers from secondary schools
Junior College and the University of Malta – a member of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie – who all play an essential role in promoting our language and literature
The Alliance Française Malte-Méditerranée is also an open place for lifelong learning of French and recognition of its level through international certification
the embassy’s cultural service is available to support Maltese students who would like to study in France
I am certain that Malta and France have much to do to defend multilingualism and linguistic diversity in international forums
As we celebrate 60 years of bilateral relations and share a common European and Mediterranean destiny
Sandrine Lelong-Motta is the Ambassador of France
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Bahia del Circeo (6f Royal Dream-Grojella Paric) rallied and held to win the Prix de Villers Cotterets (purse 53,000€
15 starts all 6-7 years old) at 2.1/1 odds and timed in a quick 1.11.0kr (fractions 1.08.2kr at the 1500 to go mark; 1.10.5lr at the 1000 and 1.11.4kr with 500 meters remaining)
Eric Raffin teamed this Vitale Ciotola trainee for Grancesco Gargiulo as she recorded her eighth win in FR from 16 starts
Finishing second was 4.2/1 Hamilton du Ham (6g Rachmaninov Seven) with Joann Lebourgeois aboard for Yannick Desmet with third to 4.5/1 Hustia (6f Viking de Val) handled by trainer Matthieu Abrivard fir Bernard Desmontils
The previous day at Vincennes saw Lizy Josselyn (2f Love You-Cezua Josselyn-Sam Bourbon) win the Prix des Camelias (purse 43,000€
11 starters two-year olds) timed in 1.17.8kr with David Thomain driving the 14/1 outsider
Tomas Malmqvist trains the two-time winner in four career starts for Ecurie Hunter Valley
Let Me Shine Gio (2f Face Time Bourbon-Each Time-Coktail Jet) was second at 4.2/1 odds with Matthieu Abrivard driving for Sebastien Guarato and Scuderia Bivans Srl the owner/breeder
Little Star Fleury (2f Doberman) was third for Alexis Collette and trainer Hedi Le Bec at 82/1
The sire of the winner Love You has been retired from the FR Stallion Directory
The top stallion Love You (Coktail Jet) will not be offered in public stud this year
his owner Jean-Pierre Dubois will still be able to use his services for his mares depending on the form of the stallion
Love You covered 80 mares but had seen his breeding season cut short with a stop of services announced on May 20th
Top player on the racecourses (22 wins and €1,416,537 in earnings this year)
Twice at the top of the list of sires of winners in France
he is notably the sire of the champion Bélina Josselyn
He has 1,476 foals registered in France (IFCE data) to which must be added a significant foreign production
For the French stallion directory, click here
Love You and other FR stallions have made a positive impact on trotting in Australia and New Zealand
FR stallion Classic Connection (Love You-Crys Dream) is now standing in AUS
The dam Crys Dream is now in the US at Dubois KY Farm and has a promising Greenshoe colt under the care of Marie Ortolon Barr
Haras des Trotteurs files/photos-harness trots
by Thomas H. Hicks
Harnesslink.com is the only harness racing website dedicated to covering news and events in the Standardbred Industry world-wide
© 2024 Harnesslink | All Rights Reserved | NV
© 2024 Harnesslink | All Rights Reserved | NV
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A new cultural space entirely dedicated to the origin and evolution of the French language is opening in France
The International French Language Centre has been installed in the beautifully restored setting of the Villers-Cotterêts Castle in Aisne
the former hunting residence of King François I has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past three years
it's also for those who are learning it or simply for those who love French culture in all its aspects
including the sound of the language," says Paul Rondin
the director of the International French Language Centre
then-candidate Emmanuel Macron discovered the state of disrepair of this Renaissance castle in 2017
he entrusted the Centre des Monuments Nationaux (CMN) with its transformation into a "castle of the Francophonie."
More than 210 million euros have been invested
making it President Macron's second-largest cultural project after Notre-Dame de Paris
The initiative is deeply rooted in the history of Villers-Cotterêts
where François I signed the ordinance in 1539 that imposed the use of French in administrative documents and where Alexandre Dumas was born
However, it also holds political significance in a region marked by deindustrialisation, unemployment
"Onomatopoeia," "weird," "spoiler," "nonsense": upon entering this castle
visitors will discover a "lexical sky" in the Court of the Jeu de paume
The suspended words have been chosen in collaboration with the local residents
along with the chapel and the Queen's staircase
leads to a permanent exhibition showcasing the spread of the French language worldwide
Visitors can enter a cubic "magic library" containing thousands of books and receive personalised reading recommendations from an artificial intelligence machine
Screens display actors performing linguistic acrobatics and offer interactive spelling tests
and that means we have a responsibility here at the Cité internationale to show the language in the process of being transformed
which is also why there will be researchers and artists here," explains the centre's director
He adds: "I hope that we will be able to evolve
to make a certain number of things evolve on the question of gender
But that also applies to the acceptance of new words in the French language
I'll say it again: we're not defending language
artist and researcher residencies are set to bring the place to life
A "very ambitious" goal of 200,000 visitors per year has been set
the director of 'National monuments centre'
that everything is being done to ensure local residents can access the centre without cost barriers
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The highly political Cité Internationale de la Langue Française
was inaugurated on October 30 in the restored former home of King François I
The "lexical sky" of the Cité Internationale de la Langue Française
in the courtyard of the Renaissance Château de Villers-Cotterêts
FRANÇOIS NASCIMBENI/AFP The clatter of jackhammers had died down
On the grounds of the Château de Villers-Cotterêts (Aisne
northern France) – where King François I signed an order in 1539 imposing the use of French in judicial and administrative acts
which were previously drafted in Latin – the coming and going of workers had stopped and the fine dust covering the floors had been cleaned
temporary buildings and scaffolding had been dismantled
announced in March 2017 during his first presidential campaign
had taken shape: The Cité Internationale de la Langue Française ("International City of the French Language") was inaugurated by the president on Monday
which justifies a total budget of €211 million
is not limited to the 1,600 square meter interactive tour of the French language
including its expansion and enrichment thanks to all of the French-speaking world
It provides space for local associations (fencing club
etc.); residencies for French-speaking authors; and
The aim is to attract museumgoers from a wide range of backgrounds: French-speaking foreigners and people from the region
museum regulars and less accustomed visitors
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the production and experiences department of The Mill – a Technicolor Creative Studios Group brand – joined forces with Ilusio – a digital scenography agency – to create 60 audiovisual and interactive installations for the permanent tour of the Cité internationale de la langue française in Villers-Cotterêts – inaugurated on 30 October by the President of the Republic
As the inaugural cultural institution fully devoted to the French language
the Cité internationale de la langue française is hosted within the historic Château de Villers-Cotterêts
where in 1539 François I declared French as the official language
The project was initiated by President Emmanuel Macron and entrusted to the Centre des Monuments Nationaux (National Monument Center)
known for their work on mediation devices for Hôtel de la Marine
were selected for their technical excellence and creative abilities to develop innovative formats
Each creation resulted from a collaborative effort between the Mill+ and Ilusio writers and directors
the supervising team (Projectile & Lundi 8)
and the members of the scientific committee
they developed engaging and accessible concepts to narrate the French language and Francophonie through various themes
“Our mission is to transform concepts into tangible and captivating experiences for the public
This project provided us with the unique opportunity to demonstrate the depth of our expertise on an exciting topic: the French language
It stands as the most extensive production experience we’ve embarked on to date
Over a span of almost two years and a half
we successfully rallied and guided a diverse team to craft 60 ingenious and entertaining installations
We trust that the public enjoys discovering this immersive journey into the essence of the French language as we derived from bringing it to life.”
“I had the privilege of joining the Centre des Monuments Nationaux team in the project concluding year
the foremost consideration is how they will be perceived by the public upon completion
Each content piece is designed to be simultaneously entertaining and inclusive for diverse audiences
I take immense pride in the achievements resulting from our collaborative efforts with the CNM
and we are looking forward to receiving feedback from the public.”
Find out more about The Mill and its services
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including 15 Digital Projection E-Vision models
have been deployed by ETC Audiovisuel at the Chateau de Villers-Cotterets
French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron pledged to restore the Château de Villers-Cotterêts – a symbol of French Renaissance architecture and where King Francis I signed an ordinance that made the French language compulsory for all official documents – to its former glory
the Cité Internationale de la Langue Française cultural venue was inaugurated in the historically significant building
The AV integration project was overseen by ETC Audiovisuel
which collaborated closely with architecture studio Projectiles and digital scenographer Lundi8
The project comprised nearly 80 screens and 25 video projectors across more than 60 areas
including the 1,200 sq metre Cité Internationale de la Langue Française exhibition
which explores the history of the French language
The kit included 15 Digital Projection E-Vision Laser 11000 4K-UHD and E-Vision 7500 laser projectors
with 10 of ETC Audiovisuel’s Onlyview media servers handling the warping and blending
permanent installations lead at ETC Audiovisuel
says one of the reasons ETC chose to utilise Digital Projection’s E-Vision laser projectors was the fact that the laser-based technology allowed it to achieve low energy consumption and virtually maintenance-free operation
Digital Projection’s 1-chip DLP laser projectors offer a high brightness within a compact and lightweight chassis
The ultra-short-throw lens option proved ideal for this project
especially in rooms where space was limited
“Having worked with Digital Projection projectors before
we knew we could count on their exceptional quality and performance to help us deliver a seamless and outstanding AV integration,” says Segelle
The Onlyview servers provide a comprehensive suite of tools
which were essential to achieving the meticulous AV rendering conceptualised by the set design company
Segelle says: “The Onlyview multi-stream AV server
was selected to manage media playback across multiple servers simultaneously
This ensured the delivery of the sharpest and most flawless images
as envisioned by our image production partners
“The entire network was synchronised to play content harmoniously
leveraging multiple servers to facilitate deformations
overlays and interactivity through the Notch gateway
which enables the creation of generative content
“From the initial tests to final installation
every aspect was carefully orchestrated to preserve the chateau’s architectural and historical integrity while inspiring the visitor to learn more about the French language
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As Vietnam and Europe continue to strengthen their partnership
both sides remain committed to building on their achievements while embracing new cooperation opportunities for peace and stability in the region and the world
Hanoi (VNA) – Against the backdrop of complex global dynamics in 2024
Vietnam and Europe maintained growth momentum in their bilateral ties
built on their mutual trusts and concerted efforts
2024 – Consolidating foundation to forge stronger relations
The European countries commended Vietnam’s potential and always sees the nation its important partner in the Indo-Pacific Strategy while the Southeast Asian country has considered Europe an important
historical and cultural connections between the two sides serve as catalysts for them to step up their bilateral relations
Vietnam’s friendship and cooperation partnerships with its traditional European partners were reinforced
with a multitude of diplomatic activities at all levels in 2024
including the exchange of 30 high-level delegations
Forty-two cooperation documents were signed in various domains
helping concretise the upgraded partnership frameworks as well as bilateral and international commitments
A landmark moment came when Vietnam and France elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Party General Secretary To Lam's October 2024 visit
making France the first EU member and the second European country to achieve this status with Vietnam
The diplomatic calendar was particularly active
with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to Hungary and Romania in January and attendance at the expanded BRICS summit in October
and the state visits to Vietnam by German President Frank Walter Steinmeier in January and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June
Vietnam and European countries agreed to continue maintaining existing cooperation mechanisms like strategic dialogues and regular political consultations
the two sides coordinated closely and promoted the culture of dialogue and cooperation
European leaders demonstrated their respect for Vietnam’s increasing role
and prestige in the international arena while expressing their hope to consolidate and nurture the relations and establish a rational partnership framework with Vietnam
Economy – trade continued to be a bright spot in the relations between Vietnam and Europe in 2024
Trade revenue with the EU reached 68 billion USD
The EU solidified its position as Vietnam's fourth-largest trading partner and fifth-largest investor
with cumulative investment exceeding 30 billion USD
Vietnam kept on effectively implementing free trade agreements with the EU (EVFTA)
and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU-VFTA)
Negotiations for a free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) progressed
while efforts continued to secure the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA)
The bilateral cooperation transcended beyond traditional sectors to new ones that are in accordance with the global development trend and Vietnam’s development priorities such as innovation
and semiconductor human resources training
Due attention was paid to people-to-people exchange
The resumption of direct flights to Russia and new air routes to Germany and Kazakhstan last year helped boost European tourist arrivals to nearly 392,000
representing a 17.9% increase from the previous year
This surge signals Vietnam's growing appeal as a destination for European investors and tourists alike
particularly in the aftermath of floods and natural disasters
the governments and people of many European countries stood firmly with Vietnam
demonstrating their respect for the friendship with Vietnam
Vietnamese Party and State leaders also asked the European administrations to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to study
work and well integrate into the host society
promoting their role to connect the two sides
2025 – Charting course for enhanced relations
As Vietnam now stands ready to embrace a new era – that of the nation’s rise
the diplomatic sector continues innovating its mindset and actions
serving as a catalyst to open up new opportunities for national development
This diplomatic evolution aims to effectively serve security and development interests while elevating Vietnam's international standing and contributing to a fair
Foreign activities are expected to go vibrant this year
including those with many European countries and partners like Russia
Based on the unceasingly consolidated friendship together with huge cooperation potential
Vietnam has identified four key priorities for cooperation with European partners
helping improve the nation’s position in the new era
Vietnam will maintain a strategic environment of peace
and cooperation through strengthened cooperation with its important partners and traditional friends in Europe
contributing to enhancing political trust and creating motives for cooperation in other sectors
This is evidenced by the establishment of the strategic partnership with the Czech Republic and comprehensive partnership with Switzerland in January 2025
Advancing economic diplomacy is another priority
with a focus on business and local community interests
particularly in areas where Europe excels and Vietnam seeks growth like digital transformation
Vietnam will work to intensify collaboration in science
it will capitalise on the potential of the Vietnamese community with more than 1 million people in Europe to enhance bilateral ties contribute to Vietnam’s development
both sides remain committed to building on their achievements while embracing new cooperation opportunities for peace and stability in the region and the world./
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visits to Poland and the Czech Republic
as well as his attendance at the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and bilateral activities in Switzerland from January 15-23 conveyed a message of determination and aspiration to attract international resources to drive national development in a new era
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a working session with the Vietnam Innovation Network in Europe (VINEU) and Vietnamese experts in Prague on January 19 afternoon (local time) as part of his official visit to the Czech Republic
The Liaison Committee for Overseas Vietnamese in Europe “For Vietnam’s seas and islands” has transferred its rotating chairmanship to the Truong Sa club in Germany
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OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be travelling to France next Thursday to attend the Francophonie summit
The Prime Minister's Office says Trudeau will work with other heads of state to further shared priorities including democracy and human rights
Nova Scotia and Quebec will also be at the meetings
Leaders are also expected to make a decision on applications to join the international francophonie body
including Nova Scotia's application for observer status
Trudeau has attended the summit four times since he was first elected in 2015
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept
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today concluded his participation at the 19th Sommet de la Francophonie in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris
This visit was an opportunity for him to promote the French language
strengthen Canada’s relations with other member states and governments of La Francophonie
Prime Minister Trudeau underlined Canada’s commitment to promoting development
He announced more than $11 million to support initiatives that focus on improved access to education
and the safety and security of communities
while strengthening our relations with French-speaking countries in Africa
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting governance modernization at the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) so it can fulfill its mandate transparently and as effectively as possible
especially with respect to promoting our shared values and the French language
He noted the work underway to map and identify workforce needs for the teaching of French and instruction in French
Prime Minister Trudeau also reiterated Canada’s support for La Francophonie’s operators and institutions by announcing a federal investment of nearly $1.6 million
This funding will support scientific research in French as well as student mobility and youth employability
while helping expand the diversity of French-language content on the TV5MONDEplus platform
It will also support research on promoting the French language and Francophone identities in cities across La Francophonie and foster the participation of women in parliaments in the Francophone world
In the Déclaration de Villers-Cotterêts
Canada and the other OIF member states and governments invited digital platforms to strengthen their commitments to create a safer and fairer digital space
They also agreed on the importance of promoting the responsible use and development of artificial intelligence and countering disinformation
Prime Minister Trudeau underscored the importance of continuing to build strong relationships with our partners in La Francophonie to create a safer and more prosperous future for our peoples
As a founding member of the OIF and its second-largest donor
Canada is firmly committed to supporting the OIF’s mandate and initiatives
in particular to protect and promote the French language as well as cultural and linguistic diversity
Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Cité internationale de la langue française
which seeks to promote the richness and diversity of the French language and its role in the world
Canada is highlighting the importance of its Francophone minority communities
deepening exchanges between Francophones in Canada and abroad
and showcasing the diversity of the Canadian Francophonie to Cité visitors
Building on the progress made during President Macron’s visit to Canada last month
Prime Minister Trudeau also reiterated his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Canada and France
the Prime Minister met with international counterparts to discuss current geopolitical challenges with wide-ranging impacts
as well as tensions in the Middle East and along Lebanon’s southern border
He emphasized the importance of working together
to preserve peace and security in the world
“During the Sommet de la Francophonie
I renewed Canada’s commitment to promoting and protecting the French language
In collaboration with the OIF and the other member states and governments
we can create new opportunities for Francophone people around the world.”
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as an envoy of the President of the Republic of Serbia
attended today’s inaugural opening ceremony of the 19th Francophonie Summit at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts near Paris
with the presence of about 100 heads of state delegations
which was addressed by President of France Emmanuel Macron
as well as Secretary General of La Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo
the chairmanship of the summit was handed over from Tunisia to this year’s host
which will make this country the host of Francophonie after 33 years
in his capacity as an envoy of the President of the Republic of Serbia
met with President of France Emmanuel Macron
and conveyed the greetings of President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić
and expressed Serbia’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation
The Minister of Culture also spoke with heads of state and government
and on that occasion informed them of our country's desire to become a full member of the International Organisation of La Francophonie and thus reaffirm its commitment to the values that it itself cherishes and shares as part of its culture and heritage
He reminded that in order to gradually fulfill the requirements for full membership
the Republic of Serbia became an associate member of La Francophonie on 11 October 2018
and pointed out that in our country 4.3% of the population speaks French
while the government of Serbia is active in improving the French language skills in the civil service
The police killed two brothers who had links to Al Qaeda in Yemen and were suspected in the massacre at a Paris newspaper office
officers also killed an alleged associate of the brothers who had held hostages in a kosher supermarket
suspected in an assault on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo
walked into a police station northeast of Paris and gave himself up
brought together leaders from nearly 100 member countries of the Francophonie community
as well as Francophone institutions and international and regional organizations
Among them were heads of state and government of the Francophonie community
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the special bond between countries that use French
asserting that the Francophonie community needs to continue enhancing cooperation to make French a language of culture
He also affirmed that the fundamental values of the Francophonie community are unity
recognition of cultural and linguistic diversity
and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries
Both the French President and the Prime Minister of Tunisia praised the contributions of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) to global processes
including the UN Summit of the Future recently held in New York
Francophonie Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo highlighted that the Francophonie community
has been maturing and is actively contributing to collective efforts to promote cooperation and dialogue
The Secretary-General emphasized that the OIF will continue to reform in order to respond to the rapid changes in the current situation
while supporting programs for women and youth
and further promoting the teaching of French and entrepreneurship in French
the Vietnamese General Secretary and President attended a reception hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron
delivered a speech at the Francophone Business Forum on Innovation and Creativity (FrancoTech)
and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries of Benin and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam
the Vietnamese leader will deliver an important speech at the Villers-Cotterêts summit
He will also meet and discuss with senior leaders from various countries and international organizations to promote diplomatic
and bilateral and multilateral trade cooperation between Vietnam and those countries
The 19 Francophonie Summit is taking place on October 4-5 in France
Francophone cultural village and Francophone festival
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Culture and Communication © 2025 -All rights reserved
He highlighted the fundamental values of the Francophone community which are solidarity
Livestock and Fisheries.Lam is set to deliver a key speech at the summit on October 5
economic and trade cooperation.The 19 Francophonie Summit is taking place on October 4-5 in France
French President Emmanuel Macron and Secretary-General of La Francophonie
presided over the official welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President To Lam and other heads of state attending the 19th Francophone Summit
marks the first time that General Secretary and President To Lam has participated in the Francophone Summit
which gathers nearly 100 representatives from member countries of the Francophonie community
and Entrepreneurship in French," the summit will discuss key priorities and directions for cooperation within the Francophonie
particularly focusing on economic collaboration
General Secretary and President To Lam is set to deliver a key speech
and cooperative stance on global challenges
the Francophonie community has seen Vietnam as a model for socio-economic development and a key player in economic cooperation
with 88 member countries and territories representing a population of approximately 1.2 billion people
offers vast opportunities for economic cooperation
General Secretary and President To Lam also met with Mr
Honorary President of the French Employers' Confederation and Founder of Notus Technologies
praised Vietnam’s interest in the Francophonie community and expressed their desire to collaborate with the country
“The French Employers' Confederation is eager to work with Vietnam
particularly in the high-competition sectors of agricultural and food processing,” Roux De Bezieux stated
General Secretary and President To Lam called on the French Employers' Confederation to continue supporting and acting as a bridge for business investments between the two countries
He highlighted that Vietnam prioritizes foreign investments that emphasize quality
General Secretary and President To Lam urged the French Employers' Confederation and the Francophone Employers' Union to strengthen ties and cooperation in areas where both sides have strong potential
OIF Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo chaired the Ministerial meeting on Thursday ahead of the 19th Summit opening Friday in Paris
President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame on Thursday arrived in Paris
France where they join other Heads of State and Government for the 19th Summit of La Francophonie co-hosted by International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo and French President Emmanuel Macron
and do business in French,” the 19th Francophonie Summit
will have a special focus on youth employment
the President and First Lady will attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Francophonie Summit in Villers-Cotterêts
a town 80 km north-east of Paris where French was declared the official language of France in 1539
they will join other dignitaries for a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron at the Élysée Palace
President Kagame will attend a closed roundtable session on “Renewed Multilateralism” chaired by President Macron
The Summit will conclude with the adoption of the Villers-Cotterêts Declaration
the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation participated in the 45th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie (CMF) to discuss preparations for the summit which kicks off tomorrow
the Minister Nduhungirehe announced to his peers the holding of the 46th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie in Kigali in 2025
Minister Nduhungirehe attended the Ministerial meeting to lay ground for the main summit
Thor Hushovd hit his opponents with a hard reminder that he is a sprinter to reckon with by taking..
Thor Hushovd hit his opponents with a hard reminder that he is a sprinter to reckon with by taking victory at the end of 193 kilometres into Joigny
The 29 year-old Norwegian benefited from the work of teammate Julien Dean and went long to overtake Robert Hunter (Barloworld) and Oscar Freire (Rabobank)
"It was very fast with big roads at the end," noted Hushovd at the end of the day
The sprinters' teams had sucked in the escape of Matthieu Sprick (Bouygues Telecom)
Sébastien Chavanel (Française Des Jeux) and Christian Knees (Milram) that had been clear since 25 kilometres into the day
The race-conclusion saw Sprick bolting free at eight kilometres to go as the peloton was only 30" back
The Frenchman was clawed back 4.8 kilometres from the finish and the way was clear for a sprint-fest
"My team did a lot of work for me with riders such as Sébastien Hinault and William Bonnet helping a lot," Hushovd continued
Dean was the star domestique when he personally escorted me in the crucial closing metres
I stayed on his wheel and he started the sprint very strongly with about 450 metres to go
He led me out and then I jumped with about 200 metres to go."
Hushovd rode the New Zealand express through the gentle right-hand bend and then launched off to the lead-out man's left
Hushovd led from what appeared to be a long 300 metres to go
using the power that gave him four stage wins and one Maillot Vert to hold off Robert Hunter (Barloworld) on his right
"This win is very good for me because I didn't have a very good start to the season
I prepared the season to be good in the Classics
but I fell sick the day before Milano-Sanremo and I didn't do well in the Classics
It is great to win a stage because of that and I am very happy
I hope the rest of the race goes as well as today."
Hunter continues to improve and makes well on ASO's invite of the Professional Continental team Barloworld
"I wasn't too happy when I crossed the line because I don't like to lose but as I told you this morning I am feeling good and I am ready for a big result," noted the South African to Jean-François Quénet
"I was trying to get into the right position but I was a little way back because of a Lampre guy
Had I been closer to Hushovd it could have been a different story
I was sprinting faster than him but I came from too far back
It's the way it goes; it's the Tour de France
But I am slowly closing the gap to the first win of my career at the Tour de France."
Spaniard Oscar Freire (Rabobank) made the top-three followed by Erik Zabel (Milram)
Robert Förster (Gerolsteiner) and Steegmans' teammate Tom Boonen
"The last kilometres were very chaotic," Boonen noted after his eighth place
There was a corner at five hundred metres and that is where it went wrong
When Thor Hushovd went we had to brake and that is where it happened."
maybe because he had lost the sprint but maybe it was because stage 2 winner Steegmans finished ahead of him to take some of his precious sprint points
Boonen continues to hold the sprinter's Maillot Vert by 12 points over Zabel and 14 over Robbie McEwen (Predictor)
Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC) retained his race leader's Maillot Jaune as he finished safely in the group in 47th
The winner of the prologue in London and yesterday's stage to Compiègne holds 29" over Hushovd and 33" over Andreas Klöden of Astana
The Swiss cronoman has no illusions of holding the Maillot over the Alps
"When the mountains are coming it is 'game over' for me," stated Cancellara
"My other job will start; I will look out for Schleck and Sastre
I want to repay those guys for what they did for me."
For his efforts Sprick was given the Prix de la Combativité for most aggressive rider
The prize is awarded at the end of each stage by a panel of judges including Tour Director Christian Prudhomme and journalists
187 riders headed out from the birthplace of Count of Monte Cristo author Alexandre Dumas
and rode into some into unseasonably cool weather - a dramatic difference from last year's scorching temperatures in the Tour
the first action of the day was an early category four climb
where Alexander Kuchynski (Liquigas) took the maximum points ahead of David Millar (Saunier Duval) and Stéphane Augé (Cofidis) - two of his breakaway companions from stage one
The first attacks began ahead of the 30 kilometre mark
and the successful break of the day was launched by Matthieu Sprick (Bouygues Telecom)
He was joined by Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank)
Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) and Christian Knees (Milram) to form the day-long escape that would take all of the intermediate sprint bonuses and mountain points
With Chavanel protecting the polka dot jersey of Augé
and none of the men up front threatening the points jersey of Tom Boonen (Quickstep)
it was up to yellow jersey Fabian Cancellara's CSC team to control the pace yet again
and kept the gap to a maximum of four minutes with occasional help from Quickstep and Predictor-Lotto
Chavanel mopped up the points in defense of his team-mate's polka dot jersey while Flecha came second ahead of Verdugo
Flecha then went on to take maximum points at the first intermediate sprint in La Ferte-Gaucher (km 69) in front of Chavanel and Sprick
As the peloton worked to close the gap to the leaders
a crash in the back of the peloton felled Rémy Di Grégorio (Française des Jeux) and Xabier Zandio (Caisse d'Epargne)
The latter would immediately abandon the stage
finally chasing back on 12 kilometres later
The crash split the peloton into three groups
causing a little panic for the Discovery Channel team
who had to work hard to bring white jersey holder Vladimir Gusev back to the front
Averaging just over 40 kilometres per hour
the peloton held the breakaway at a near steady three to four minute lead for the majority of the day
The second intermediate sprint in Soligny-Les-Etangs was taken again by Flecha ahead of Chavanel and Milram's Knees
The lead began to sink as the breakaway headed up into the hills above the Yonne River valley
where they tacked the third category four climb of the day
the Côte De Galbaux holding just two minutes' advantage on the field
and as they headed toward the Côte De Bel-Air
causing a little pause in the break's efforts
A crash in the field slowed the chase when Cofidis' Staf Scheirlinckx ran into some cars on the road side
Verdugo had just rejoined his companions before the GPM line when Knees attacked to take the points
beating Sprick and Chavanel as the chase behind began in earnest
Just ten kilometres down the hill into Theil-Sur-Vanne
the breakaway reached the final intermediate sprint while holding just over 90 seconds advantage on the Quickstep-led field
all the while knowing the sprinters' teams were barreling down toward them
Flecha again took the maximum points while Chavanel and Verdugo came second and third
and then it was time for the five men to gather their wits for the struggle ahead
and fell below one minute with 25 kilometres to go
and while the other four did not let him go
the increase in pace allowed the break's advantage to dangle at the one minute mark for a suspenseful seven kilometres before more teams lent their strength to the chase
but Sprick wasn't going to take defeat lying down and launched an attack with 8.5km to go that was marked by Flecha and Knees
but spelled the end of Verdugo and Chavanel
When a slight lull in the pace proved unsatisfactory to Knees
while Flecha held on for a few more kilometres
But Flecha and Knees were no match for the sprint-hungry peloton
and they finally gave up with 7 kilometres to go with a sportsmanlike shake of hands
Quickstep and Predictor-Lotto all vying for control
the lead in the final kilometres changed again and again
Even within the last kilometre there was no clear grip on the front
and the opportunists in the peloton fired off surge after surge
it was the perfectly timed lead out of New Zealand champion Julian Dean which launched his team-mate Thor Hushovd to victory ahead of a feisty late charge by South African sprinter Robert Hunter (Barloworld)
Oscar Freire rolled in a disappointed third ahead of Erik Zabel (Milram) and Lampre's Danilo Napolitano
Starting in the town famous worldwide for crisp white wine
after five days of racing in the 2007 Tour de France
stage 5 contains some serious racing on a winding
rolling parcours with eight categorized climbs
A break will certainly get away and in the second half of the stage
the road ascends to the windy roads of Morvan Plateau before a final ascent of the Cat
3 Côte de la Croix de la Libération with eight kilometres to race
which could make the difference for the race winning move
Climbs: Km 39.5: Côte des Grandes-Châtelaines: 1.5km climb @ 6.7% avg
Km 52.5: Côte de Domecy-sur-Cure: 1.3km climb @ 6.2% avg
Km 58.5: Côte de Champignolles-le-Bas: 2.0km climb @ 6.5% avg
Km 86.5: Côte de Coulon: 1.0km climb @ 6.2% avg
Km 98.5: Côte de Saint-Maurice: 3.0km climb @ 5.2% avg
Km 119: Côte de Château-Chinon: 2.5km climb @ 3.8% avg
Km 135.5: Haut-Folin: 12.9km climb @ 3.7% avg
Km 174: Côte de la Croix de la Libération: 3.4km climb @ 5.4% avg
Sprints: Km 36: Avallon Km 88: Montreuillon Km 145: Bibracte-Mont-Beuvray