Mission over: French, Canadian envoys bid farewell

Outgoing ambassadors recall trips to the countryside.

ISLAMABAD:

The Diplomatic Corps Dean Rodolfo Saravia hosted a reception to bid farewell to French Ambassador Philippe Thiebaud and Canadian Ambassador Greg Giokas on Monday.

Saravia said it was a special yet a sad occasion; special to get hold of all the diplomats at the Argentine Embassy and sad to be saying goodbye to two friends of the diplomatic community, who were leaving behind lasting memories.

Thiebaud spent nearly three years while Giokas spent two years in the country. “We will remember both of them and I hope they remember us,” said Saravia, the Argentine envoy.

“They have done a tremendous job of not only establishing relations with the diplomatic community but also the locals,” he added.

Theibaud spoke about trying to dispel misconceptions that Pakistan and France had about each other. Commending the hospitality of the locals and reminiscing about the trips to the up-north that he had taken for different projects including a mining project, he said there was great potential in the country.

Referring to the opening of a Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Museum, Giokas said it was a symbol of the attention their prime minister gives to welcoming different cultures, religions and people. Similarly, Giokas mentioned trips to Moen Jo Daro and Gilgit-Baltistan.

“This is not just a controversial or hard country, it is an important country. Any country can be controversial or hard in its own way,” said Giokas.

In the end, Saravia presented camphor boxes to both the outgoing ambassadors as souvenirs.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2014.