France and Ireland must work together to promote peace, co-operation and the protection of the ideals of liberty and freedom of speech in the face of acts of terrorism and hatred, the French president has said.
Speaking in Dublin Castle to members of the French community in Ireland yesterday, Francois Hollande urged them not to lose faith in their values and the nation's unity, following the recent series of terrorist attacks across France.
“France represents everything that is unacceptable to these fanatics because we believe in progress, because we have chosen to live in a democracy and because we come from a secular state,” he said, adding that he had called on military reserves to boost security across France.
“We must do everything we can to protect this lifestyle, this model of living.
Solidarity
“Why did they choose France? Because we are the country which represents liberty to the rest of the world. Because the 14th of July is a celebration of liberty around the world. It is much more than just a national holiday.”
Mr Hollande, who was in Dublin to visit Taoiseach Enda Kenny and President Michael D Higgins, spoke of the Franco-Irish family he met earlier in the day who had witnessed, at first-hand, the recent attack in Nice. "Let me express, once more, in the name of the entire nation, our solidarity towards those men, women and children who were massacred."
He also paid tribute to the Irish men who fought during the first World War and thanked Ireland for the military trainers it has sent to Mali. "My role now as president of the French Republic is to protect the French people but also to guard our institutions. We know we can count on European solidarity at this time, particularly the solidarity of our Irish neighbours."
