Exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries were likewise robust during this period. Batasang Pambansa Speaker Querube Makalintal paid an official visit in 1979 upon the invitation of the French-Philippine Parliamentary Friendship Society of the National Assembly and return visits by French parliamentarians were made during this period. French and Philippine labor ministers also exchanged official visits to discuss possible joint ventures in subcontracting and employment projects in the Middle East. In July 1983, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Cesar Virata met with this French counterpart Pierre Mauroy and agreed to exert best efforts in solving industrial disputes which had remained as obstacles to better relations and committed to start a new chapter in PhilippineFrench relations. Corazon C. Aquino State Visit France was among the first to recognize the government of Corazon “Cory” Aquino in February 1986. Then Prime Minister Laurent Fabius categorically stated that “France must show its support of democracy and state it is alongside Aquino”. Mr. Fabius would later visit Manila and meet with President Cory Aquino in June 1986, (when he was no longer Prime Minister, having been replaced by Jacques Chirac in March 1986) to express support to the government.
Figure 133. President Corazon C. Aquino and President François Mitterrand at the arrival ceremonies at the Orly Airport (Archives Nationales) 220
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