In France, Presidenta Laura Chinchilla’s European tour started off on a religious note Sunday as she attended a mass to celebrate the 850th anniversary of the completion of historic Notre Dame Cathedral. Afterward, it was all business as she met with the international agricultural giant Syngenta.
The subject of the talks with that firm, at the behest of Costa Rican coffee cooperatives, was a possible help for coffee farmers in this country. Although the country has reached unparalelled heights of fame for its chief agricultural export’s quality, the crop is plagued by declining production and disease.
La Nacion reported that the firm had been previously contacted but needed an official government stamp of approval, that Chinchilla’s personal touch can provide. The President’s previous personal interventions in gaining foreign investment have been successful — she is a persuasive sales representive.
During Chinchilla’s time in France, scheduled to end Nov. 7, she will meet with French President Francois Hollande. She will also visit the prestigious University of Poitiers as well a meet with the Organization for Economic and Development Cooperation, the so-called rich nations’ club which Costa Rica hopes to join.
She is also scheduled to meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican. She is accompanied by her Minister of Communication Carlos Roverssi (a seasoned diplomat, himself), Foreign Trade Minister Anabel Gonzalez, and Foreign Minister Enrique Castillo as well as a protocol team.
Article by iNews.co.cr