Richard Kwang Kometa
22 May 2009
President Paul Biya and visiting French Prime Minister, François Fillon examined issues of bilateral ties between Yaounde and Paris yesterday at the Unity Palace.
The courtyard of the Unity Palace was yesterday May 21, 2009, lined with the French and Cameroon flags in honour of an august guest in the country, French Prime Minister François Fillon. For over three hours, President Paul Biya and Prime Minister Fillon as well as their entourage had much in terms of acts that will help to reinforce bilateral ties between Cameroon and France.
Besides the over one hour long tête-à-tête between President Paul Biya and the French Prime Minister, there was the signing of three cooperation agreements between the two countries, the decoration of François Fillon and a State lunch that marked the Unity Palace segment of the French PM's visit that began at 11a.m. when Mr. Fillon arrived.
One of the focal points at the Unity Palace was no doubt the accords signed by various officials in both delegations.
Signing of Accords
The accord on the control of immigration between Cameroon and France was signed by the French Minister of Immigration and Identity, Eric Besson for France while the Delegate General for National Security, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo'o signed for Cameroon. It was followed by the security agreement signed by the French Secretary of State for Defence, Jean Marie Bockel and the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Rémy Ze Meka. The last accord was that on health. The French Secretary of State in charge of Cooperation and Francophonie, Alain Joyandet appended his signature on the document for France and the Secretary of State for Public Health, Alim Hayatou did same for Cameroon.
If the immigration accord requires that Cameroon should play an active role in checking the exodus of its citizens to France, the military accord focused on France avoiding military assistance to Cameroon in favour of regional partnership cooperation in matters of defence and security. The French Prime Minister said this is in line with measures proposed by President Nicolas Sarkozy when he addressed the South African Parliament in February 2008. On the other hand, the health accord covers a five-year period from 2009 to 2013 and will concern the development of health infrastructure, training of health personnel, and subsidies to government in the treatment of diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis among others.
Still further, the immigration accord equally previews that France will make available 12 million Euros to Cameroon for various solidarity development programmes and some 66 professional training programmes open in France to Cameroonians. Although more details on the accords are still to be made public, it is clear that France through the immigration agreement is out to look for ways to forestall the tragic drama faced by African youths who keep risking their lives in the high seas as they attempt travelling to Europe in search of greener pasture.
Financing of the health accord has been estimated at FCFA 36 billion under the C2D debt relief contract signed between Cameroon and France.
Visit Marked by Solemnity
President Paul Biya and the French Prime Minister, François Fillon gave the Unity Palace rendez-vous all the attention and solemnity that such a high-profile contact deserves. Immediately after the one-hour tête-à-tête, the Head of State and the French Prime Minister moved to the adjacent hall where they had an exchange of gifts. They were joined by the first lady, Chantal Biya who added glamour to the occasion as she also received a gift from François Fillon. Prior to the exchange of gifts, Mr. Biya raised the French Prime Minister to the dignity of Grand Officer of the National Order of Valour.
The entire entourage of the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of France took turns to congratulate Mr. Fillon for the decoration before moving to the Hall of the Cabinet meeting where they had the signing of documents and a tea-party that was punctuated by two toasts.
In his speech at the occasion, François Fillon lauded the peaceful settling of the Cameroon Nigeria boundary conflict and hailed President Paul Biya for enabling Cameroon to play a stabilising role in the Central African Sub-region. He reiterated President Sarkozy's invitation to President Paul Biya to travel to France next July. The Prime Minister concluded with a toast in honour of the Head of State, the First Lady and the entourage of the President of the Republic at the occasion.
On his part, President Biya appreciated the long standing ties between both countries that have been marked by mutual respect. He pointed out that Cameroon is on the right path to decentralisation, public freedom and human rights. The ceremony ended by 2:30p.m.
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