Marie-Lou Gregoire has been appointed as the new Honorary Consul of France in Groningen.
As Honorary Consul, Gregoire told RTV Noord she will represent the interests of French people in Groningen and provide assistance in the case of disasters or urgent matters such as hospital admissions, missing persons, and deaths. Honorary Consuls of France are either French citizens or citizens of the host country who are nominated by the French Foreign Affairs Ministry. They are not diplomats by training and are not paid.
‘In addition, I can use my network to strengthen the economic ties between the two countries. For example, I know that France is interested in the Northern Netherlands in terms of energy and hydrogen. I can be the oil men to facilitate the contacts between companies.’
Gregoire said she will also use her network to improve economic relations between the Netherlands and France. “I know that France has an interest in the North of the Netherlands concerning energy and hydrogen I can make sure that these companies find each other,” she told RTVNoord.
Gregoire was born in Belgium and has more than 30 years of experience in the communications profession.
When asked what she thinks Groningen can learn from France she said that “people in Groningen should stay the way they are.” However, she does think there could be a bit more joie de vivre when it comes to food, like longer dinners and being together with friends and family.
Besides this new function, Gregoire will still continue her work as a communication adviser at Gasunie.
Marie-Lou Gregoire succeeds Anne-Christine Dreue. The nomination lasts 5 years and can be extended for a second period.
