Press statement by Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu–Tariceanu
Distinguished Secretary General,
Today, March 20th, we celebrate the International Day of Francophony. Romania wanted to particularly celebrate this moment, given the organization of the Francophony Summit. This event will take place in Bucharest in the last week of September.
I have had a pleasant discussion with the Secretary General, Mr. Abdou Diouf. I want to remind you that Mr. Diouf was one of the remarkable political figures of Senegal. He had few successive presidential mandates in Senegal, he was also Prime Minister, and he is one of the remarkable political personalities of the African continent. Currently, Mr. Abdou Diouf is the Secretary General of Francophony.
I am glad that this event which we organize, overlaps with other important moment – the centenary of Leopold Sedar Senghor.
Leopold Sedar Senghor is one of the founders of Francophony, a personality who inspired from French spirit and culture, and who succeeded to an exceptional extent to spread them in other world regions. Also, he was a well known poet, his works being appreciated in his country and in the entire world.
I am glad that this philatelic emission is dedicated to the personality of Leopold Sedar Senghor, especially that it overlaps with the centennial of his birth. Thus, we can pay homage to this particular personality, who was the first president of free Senegal, and at the same time being a literary personality, he became member of the French Academy.
The francophony which Leopold Sedar Senghor imagined, relied on the values of cooperation and solidarity, respect and promotion of the French, of the experiences gathered together. We can say today that his dream continues to exist. This philatelic emission represents a modest contribution, and at the same time homage paid to one of the founders of Francophony, one of the political and intellectual actors of the world, of the African world. I am very glad that we can organize this event today in Bucharest. |
Copyright © Consulate General of Romania 2004
