By Ross Jackson/Staff Reporter


HE the Minister of State for Follow-up Affairs Mohamed al-Rumaihi and French Ambassador Gilles Bonnaud cut a cake marking Bastille Day at the Ambassador’s Residence yesterday
A reception was held yesterday to celebrate Bastille Day, the French National Day, at the residence of French Ambassador Gilles Bonnaud. The event was attended by members of the French community, diplomats and HE the Minister of State for Follow-up Affairs Mohamed al-Rumaihi.
Speaking to Gulf Times, the ambassador said: “It’s a big occasion tonight because there is a signature on the agreement for Darfur, it’s a great event for France because we have been involved. Of course it’s not perfect, but it’s a very positive signal to have a platform which is open to the other movements, and I think it’s a very significant moment in the very important international diplomatic life of Qatar, which has been recognised as an international power.”
Bonnaud was touched that HE Mohamed al-Rumaihi attended despite his political obligations, which the ambassador took as an important signal to the French community as an “image of friendship.”
“The relationship between France and Qatar is quite exceptional because Qatar authorities are in Libya with us, with planes and military means, it is a total military co-operation. Of course we consult each other on each big international question and I am the testimony of that.
“This year has been special because in this Anglo-Saxon landscape we installed the HEC, which is number one in the world as a business school, we are very proud of that, thanks to the help of Qatar Foundation, and also we created the French speaking radio – Radio Oryx – a very big event, and the Qatar authorities have decided to reintroduce  the teaching of French in the curriculum.
Bonnaud also hailed co-operation in judiciary and law, as both countries’ legal system is based on continental law “through Egypt and through Napoleon.” “Maybe we’re ambitious as the economic situation in the world becomes extremely sensitive and hectic, and we think that continental law could maybe help solve those kinds of problems,” said the ambassador.
Bonnaud is hoping to broaden the role of the French language in Qatar, praising the number of French speakers in the royal family including the Crown Prince. In the diplomatic field Bonnaud would like to “reinforce our co-operation on the big subject, which is G8, G20 and how to reinforce the co-operation with the Arab World, to build within the momentum of the Arab Spring.”