The Pathfinder Foundation held an Ambassador’s Roundtable yesterday (20), featuring French Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Jean-François Pactet. The event saw the participation of representatives from the Foreign Ministry, Print and Electronic Media, Academic institutions, Training institutions focusing on International Relations, etc.
The Roundtable’s purpose was to share the perspective of France, a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, on the current developments in the International sphere. Ambassador Pactet shared insights on French foreign policy, emphasising key aspects such as French values and principles that drive its foreign policy, national security priorities, France’s role within the European Union and the International order. He also discussed France’s strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region and bilateral relations with Sri Lanka.
In his comprehensive address, followed by a lengthy ‘Question & Answer’ session, Ambassador Pactet touched upon crucial issues facing Sri Lanka, including the country’s Debt situation and avenues for enhancing people-to-people cooperation between France and Sri Lanka.
The event provided a platform for a meaningful dialogue on International developments from the point of France, helping to foster a greater understanding of France’s diplomatic stance and objectives. The Pathfinder Foundation will hold the “Ambassadors’ Roundtable” at regular intervals, where heads of missions of countries based in Sri Lanka, who play an important role, will address the event.
The Foundation also conducts a similar programme titled ‘Dialogue with Diplomats’, for which mid-level diplomats of foreign missions based in Colombo are invited.
That programme is intended to provide them with a broader perspective of developments in Sri Lanka, assisted by experienced professionals in the field. The next in the series, ‘Dialogue with Diplomats’, will be held on June 5. The discussion will focus on ‘Policy Challenges of a New Government’, with an eye on the forthcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections later this year.
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