The 215 anniversary of the take over of Bastille gives me an occasion to address today Pakistani public for the first time since my arrival in Pakistan.
It's an important date for France and for many countries because the 14th July 1789 marked the beginning of a new era in a symbolic manner and the emergence of the ideas spreading by the "philosophy of enlightenment" in political life.
More than two centuries after the French Revolution, in a radically different world and in an extraordinary diversity the places of thoughts and of intellectual production have multiplied, feeding this formidable challenge that's globalisation. But the fundamental values associated to this symbol became universal are the issues than ever before: the respect of human being the equality of men and women, the right for development, the liberty of thought.
The democracy, form of government which imposes progressively by the world, knows countless faces. Every people, every civilisation, every culture develops on the basis which are their own and no country in the world cannot wish to impose a unique model of political system.
France is respectful to the choice of societies made in different parts of the world from the time when they have expression of the aspirations of concerned populations. But she also wishes that her own choices should be respected et understood.
The French Republic is founded on the principle of the "laicite" (secularism) and of the neutrality of the State, guarantor of the respect of rights of every person.
Presently in a world open to the circulation of ideas, deeply moved by the big happy or tragic events of 20th century and of this beginning of 21st century, France enriched with continuous migratory provision coming from different continents, remains faithful to what she is: a laic (secular) State, which guaranties to every body the right of practising or not a religion.
She also defends with determination the principles which could be threatened by the excess of globalisation or the rise of power of intolerance everywhere in the world.
The right of development, the respect of the independence and of the cultural diversity in a multipolar world are the constant objectives of the French diplomacy.
France is happy that ten new countries have joined the European Union and she works with her new partners for the construction of a new strong and united political entity capable of making heard its message of peace and of progress in the world.
France and Pakistan always maintain good friendly, constant and stable relations in a world which was strongly perturbed by the vents of these last years.
The political dialogue between our two countries is permanent. The former Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, was received in Paris last December and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dominique de Villlepin, has had a very high level dialogue in Islamabad in February.
Other political meetings are planned for the next months, particularly between the ministers for Foreign Affairs, M.M. Kasuri, and Barnier, and the consultation between France and Pakistan at the Security Council is regular on the subjects the most serious of the moment, like the Iraqi crisis or the nuclear proliferation.
France appreciates the initiatives of peace taken by Pakistan and wishes success of dialogue started with India.
On the occasion of the French National Day, I sincerely hope that the friendship between France and Pakistan would contribute to the well-being of our two peoples, to peace, prosperity and development in this region of world.