Six months after my previous visit, I had the pleasure of meeting the French people of Norway again for a two-day trip to Oslo.
Two days marked by meetings with compatriots who make France shine and who show just how young, dynamic and committed the French community is.
First of all, it has to be said, it's a community that's growing, because there are a thousand reasons to settle in this country. The Norwegian way of life is a reality !
I was able to get an overview of it thanks to discussions with Ambassador Florence Robine and the President of the Consular Council Thomas Bassetto, and also thanks to Les Mousquetaires, who organised a discussion with committed players, two discussions on current events and the challenges facing the community.
This Nor-way of life was also discussed with Alban Marchadier and Lucie Martle, with whom I discussed the challenges and difficulties of expatriation, particularly in Norway, while recording an episode of their podcast. I'll be sure to keep you posted when the episode comes out !
Next, what would the French community in Oslo be without the Lycée français René Cassin d'Oslo, whose administrative and teaching teams welcome over 600 students. I had the opportunity to talk at length with the Headmistress, the teaching staff and the students about the running of the school and the schooling of students in Norway. Tomorrow's challenges are being met today, in order to guarantee the long-term future of French education in the country.
I also met and exchanged views with the management and members of the Franco-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce at their end-of-year event at the French Embassy in Norway. It was an opportunity for me to recall the close economic ties between our economies and the need to deepen them in the future.
Finally, this trip was also an opportunity to discuss the geopolitical context in Scandinavia, and particularly in the Arctic, with institutional and political players. France is a solid partner for Norway in the face of global challenges, particularly those that affect the far north. I would like to thank and salute the crew of the FREMM Auvergne, which stopped over in Oslo, for their welcome on board, our discussions and their daily work in the service of our French Navy.
All in all... a trip that confirms that Norway remains a land of opportunities and shared values for the French !
To watch the film of my trip again, click on the image below ⬇️
