Economic and cultural relations were discussed at the seat of the county council
On 24th of April Philippe Gustin, the French Ambassador in Romania visited Harghita County and held a discussion with Mr. Sándor Petres, the vice-president of Harghita County Council and with general directors regarding the development of educational, cultural, touristic relations between the two countries. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Sebastian Gorlan, counsellour. Mr. Phillipe Gustin works in Romania for one year and plans to visit all the counties in Romania, Miercurea Ciuc being the 35th of the county seats he visited so far. He said that in Romania approximately three thousand French investors are actively working. He claimed that there is a great demand to invest more in Romania by other investors also. The French Ambassador expressed his wish to offer more possibility for learning French language in schools because of the ‘nearness’ of the Francophone culture. Regarding tourism he claimed that French tourists are not willing to spend their holiday in luxury hotels but they are interested to know traditional and local values also. In this regard Harghita county is rich in such values that may concern French tourists. Mr. Philippe Gustin invited also a delegation from Harghita county to the international conference that is going to be held in Constanta, Romania in the period of 13-14th of June 2013 where the Romanian-French relations may be extended by developing new collaborative relations.
Mr. Sándor Petres, the vicepresident briefly presented the county for the guests mentioning also that in Harghita county great possibilities lie in mineral water springs, as well as in alternative, renewable energies. Mrs. Tünde Csata, the general director of the Management General Directorate offered a presentation about Harghita County Council’s international relations, among others the French relations and plans, as well as the programme aiming the promotion of the Sekler products through these international relations and contacts. Mrs. Erika Zonda, the general director of the General Directorate of Porgrammes and Subordinate Institutions mentioned two of the EU funded projects where Harghita County Council is a partner together with French partners also – these are the Robinwood Plus and the ENGAGE projects. Mr. István Csongor Isán, the manager of Harghita Cultural Centre of Harghita County Council brought into discussion the Musical Festival and the Pentecost Pilgrimage as the possibility of building up cultural relations.
According to the vicepresident important economic and cultural relations can be developed between French regions and Harghita county. The Ambassador promised that he will come back as a tourist also and pointed out that he is willing to continue the discussions on the possible fields of collaborations.
Miercurea Ciuc, 24th of April 2013
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