The 3rd session of the French-Algerian Joint Economic Committee (COMEFA) established in 2013 will take place in Paris on October 26 under the chairmanship of Laurent Fabius, Emmanuel Macron and their Algerian counterparts, Ramtane Lamamra and Abdesselam Bouchouareb.

Representatives of French and Algerian firms involved in bilateral partnerships will attend a plenary session in the morning. Eight agreements will be signed in the areas of transport, agriculture and intellectual property. An agreement on the mobility of young graduates will be signed by the two ministers of foreign affairs. The afternoon will be devoted to sector-specific workshops on digital technology, subcontracting and the food industry. Round tables will take place at the Senate on October 27 on the mobilization of local authorities in support of industrial cooperation.

The full program and the meetings planned on the sidelines of the session between our firms confirm the continued political momentum initiated by President Hollande's visits to Algeria in December 2012 and June 2015.

Sudan – Ceasefire

France welcomes the declaration by the Sudan Revolutionary Front on October 18 of a 6-month unilateral ceasefire in the regions of Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

This is an important step on the path toward the restoration of peace.

We urge the Sudanese government to demonstrate its commitment to the success of national dialogue by issuing, in the same way, an official declaration confirming the cessation of fighting for 6 months.

France reaffirms its support for the resumption of negotiations in Addis Ababa in November.

Pakistan – Attack in Chalgari (October 22, 2015)

France condemns the attack perpetrated yesterday against a Shiite mosque in Baluchistan Province, which left at least 11 people dead and 12 others injured.

We extend our condolences to the victims' families and assure the Pakistani authorities and people of our solidarity.

France stands alongside Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. It reaffirms its attachment to respect for the rights of all, regardless of faith.

Terrorism / Council of Europe – Signing of the Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism (Riga, October 22, 2015)

France, together with 17 other states, signed the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism on October 22 in Riga.

We played an active part in drafting this text, which complements the convention through measures to more effectively combat foreign terrorist fighters, while respecting the rule of law and human rights.

This protocol strengthens, at the European level, the international commitments notably resulting from UNSCR 2178 of September 24, 2014, on the "threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts."

United Nations – 70th anniversary of the United Nations (October 24, 2015)

Tomorrow we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter.

The United Nations is a universal organization, thanks to the number of states that it brings together—currently 193—as well as the scope of the areas that it covers. It is now, as it was 70 years ago, the main framework for international relations.

France is deeply attached to the multilateralism embodied by the UN. Human rights are universally recognized at the UN. France, which is a permanent member of the Security Council, assumes its responsibilities at the UN in furtherance of peace. Lastly, at the United Nations, France mobilizes its partners to ensure that everyone is committed to sustainable development and the fight against climate disruption.

To mark this anniversary, the Episcopal Palace of Verdun, which is home to the World Center for Peace, Freedom and Human Rights, will be lit up in blue. France will turn the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development and all its diplomatic representations around the world UN blue.