My dear compatriots,
Amélia Lakrafi
Today, as we celebrate our national day within our diplomatic posts around the world, I have the honor and pleasure of addressing these few words to our nationals living in Saudi Arabia.
As you know, our country has just re-elected Emmanuel Macron for a second term. I myself was re-elected in this constituency (the 10th constituency) that I had the privilege to represent and defend.
Furthermore, I loved traveling to meet our French citizens abroad and our other ambassadors, who reflect a brilliant image of our country on all continents and allow it to remain a leading actor not only in the area of international relations but also in the cultural and economic fields.
This constituency, where more than 140,000 French citizens reside (the actual number being probably double, according to the estimations of the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies since many people are not registered in our consulates), is extremely diverse due to the countries it comprises as it includes a large portion of Africa – a beacon of diversity itself – along with the Near and Middle East.
It is also diverse with respect to the profiles of the French citizens we meet in it.
We can never stress enough that not all expatriates are rich, especially in this constituency. I had the pleasure of meeting successful businessmen or executives of our major groups, which is a necessity! However, I have also met “small entrepreneurs” who have set up their businesses abroad, people who stayed for love in a particular country where they met their spouse or people who simply fell in love with the country’s culture or the country itself, which ended up welcoming them.
I have met international corporate volunteers or volunteers who only stay temporarily in their host country, which eventually constitutes a life-changing experience for them. I have also met French citizens in need, who our consulates and our OLES (mutual aid and charity associations) are trying to help as much as possible with a generosity that honors France.
During this first term, I have often visited the French citizens living in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia. This region is experiencing upheavals that are hard to imagine in France, especially with respect to the situation of women.
It also experiences an economic and diplomatic dynamism that makes it crucial in terms of influence and economic power on the global scale. I am glad that our country is an historic partner of the Kingdom.
At my level, I have sought to strengthen these ties through friendship groups (I was the previous vice-president of the friendship group with Saudi Arabia) as well as through official visits such as the one with the president of the republic last December.
I am aware of the importance that France attaches to the region. It pleases me that more than 6,000 French citizens are now established in Saudi Arabia in a variety of sectors where they have become great ambassadors of our country.
Indeed, there is still a lot more to do for the French expatriates, including those residing in Saudi Arabia, whether in terms of the education of children, health, assistance when they return to France, or, on the other hand, facilitating the procedures when they are settling in the host country.
You can count on me to relay your opinions and to continue to work for the development of our economic, cultural, and linguistic relations (Francophonie is progressing rapidly in the Middle East!) with this part of the world in a spirit of friendship and honesty, without obscuring the problems but rather by addressing them constructively and openly with the stakeholders. Happy July 14th to you all!
• Amélia Lakrafi, member of the National Assembly of France, deputy of the 10th constituency for French residents overseas.
