The French Secretary of State to the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, responsible for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, has been on a working visit to Benin since Wednesday 29 March 2023. During the audience granted to her on Thursday 30 March 2023 at the Marina Palace by President Patrice Talon, several projects between the two countries were examined.
Cultural cooperation, development of tourism, technical and vocational training… This is the agenda of the discussions by the two personalities who “followed up on the commitments made by President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Benin on 27 and 28 July 2022, to revitalise cooperation between the two States”, according to the Benin presidency.
Thus, “In the field of cultural cooperation, Benin and France have made commitments for the implementation of an important project: the Cultural and Creative Quarter of Cotonou, which will also house the new Franco-Beninese Institute,” she added.
As for technical and vocational training, France is working to support Benin in the construction of technical agricultural colleges, and also in the generalization of agricultural education project.
In addition, the two parties also examined the “Porto-Novo green city project” of the French Development Agency. This project, which is currently underway in Benin’s political capital, includes the rehabilitation of Voodoo squares and the banks of the lagoon.
On the security front, the two personalities assessed the situation in the Gulf of Guinea countries. ” Regarding this issue, France is supporting Benin in terms of information exchange, training and equipment “, the Beninese executive said.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, this visit by Chrysoula Zacharopoulou is in line with the French President’s speech on 27 February 2023. After Benin, she will travel to Togo and then to Ghana where she will highlight the priorities for the renewal of the French partnership with Africa. This partnership focuses on youth, innovation and culture.
