NNA – Minister of Information, Ramzi Jreij, met on Thursday with the Counselor of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Véronique Aulagnon, and the audiovisual attaché of the French Embassy, Luciano Rispoli, with talks touching on the most recent developments.
Jreij spoke at the end of the meeting, noting that discussions “focused on the issue of encouraging cooperation between France and Lebanon, both at the cultural and the printed press levels.”
He added that work on this plan had already begun, and it would be taken over by his successor in the Information Portfolio.
“The issues that we discussed were very useful, particularly with regard to the development of printed media and the aid already provided by France to the Lebanon’s media, an aid which has been interpreted by a digital transformation and a material contribution, subject of the conventions signed between the French ambassador and myself,” he said, hoping that “this work which is already in execution will end within the next 24 months, and that other projects will emerge to concretize the spirit of cooperation and development between the two countries.”
The Minister highlighted the importance of the Francophonie in Lebanon “which is not only a matter of language but belief in the common values of coexistence, democracy, public freedom and human rights.”
Jreij pointed out that “even after the end of his mission as Minister of Information, his support for Franco-Lebanese cooperation will continue.”
He finally noted that the French project to support the press in Lebanon is currently being studied at the Ministry of Finance to assess the cost. “The financial cost is not huge, it is likely to save the printed media, and I am inspired by the French model that supports the press and helps it improve.”
For her part, Aulagnon, paid tribute to the Minister for all the work accomplished during his term.
“A lot has been developed over the past two years thanks to his support, (…) notably the launching made under his aegis and that of the ambassador of France of a specific program for the digital development of the Francophone press in Lebanon,” she said.
“We are confident that these projects will help develop the francophone media in Lebanon,” she concluded, stressing that there is still much to be done, hoping that this cooperation will continue.
============D.K.
