Envoy: National Day was start of French democracy

THE French National Day is the result of a democratic process that began in 1789, says French ambassador to Papua New Guinea Alain Waquet.
Waquet said this to diplomats, Papua New Guinea officials, staff and friends who gathered at Ela Beach Hotel on Saturday to celebrate the day.
Fête Nationale or Bastille Day commemorated the end of a society of privileges in the kingdom of France and the start of the democratic process.
“On July 14, 1789, the Bastille fortress was stormed, taken over and destroyed by the people of Paris,” he said.
Bastille was a symbol of absolutism of the monarchy – a place where political prisoners were kept. 
Waquet said after the Bastille destruction, the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen was proclaimed. 
In 1792, French became a republic for the first time.
Waquet said a lot of things could be done for PNG’s development and France, among other countries and international partners such as  the European Union, would make all the effort to support and help.
“I am sure that a closer political, economic and cultural relationship, between France and PNG will be of mutual benefit for both countries,” he said.
Waquet also extended his best wishes to PNG in this time of election.
“We wish PNG the best. With the celebration, we must be reminded that democracy should remain not only a permanent goal but also a sustainable goal for all nations in the world.”