On Monday, 18 November 2019, President Danilo Medina received former French President François Hollande at the Presidential Palace. President Medina’s Twitter account said that Hollande came to learn more about Medina’s vision regarding Latin American trade and migration.
In an interview with Listin Diario, Hollande said that one of the reasons for his visit is to convince French companies to invest in the Dominican Republic. He understands that there is great potential for investors in Dominican tourism ventures. He also understands many Dominican goods could be exported to France and other European countries.
President Medina was accompanied by Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado, Presidency Minister Gustavo Montalvo and Presidency spokesman Roberto Rodríguez Marchena.
Hollande visited with his wife, Juliet Gayet; French ambassador Didier Lopinot; the Dominican ambassador to France, Rosa Hernández de Grullón; and Jean-Pierre Bel, the former president of the French Senate. Hollande was President of France from 2012-2017.
Hollande also visited National District Mayor David Collado. Hollande received the First City of the Americas Medal, the highest decoration of the capital city government, during his visit to the city government’s Palacio Consistorial in the Colonial City. He also toured the Colonial City with stops at the Convento de los Dominicos, the Santo Domingo Cathedral, and on the Monumento Fray Antonio de Montesino on the Malecón.
Hollande is reported as praising the Colonial City, calling it a historical jewel. He said more people need to know the country is more than sun and beach. He said he would spread the word.
Hollande also paid a visit to former President Leonel Fernández at the Fundación Global in Santo Domingo.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
El Dia
19 November 2019