The Daily Press Briefing

Statements made by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and International Development
Spokesperson


Paris - November 2, 2016
In this issue:

◢  International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists – Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault (November 2, 2016)

◢  China – Visit by Jean-Marc Ayrault (October 29 - November 1, 2016)

◢  Syria – Meeting between Jean-Marc Ayrault and Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, chairman of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry for Syria (November 3, 2016)

◢  Germany – Meeting between Jean-Marc Ayrault and Malu Dreyer, Minister President of the Rhineland-Palatinate and President of the German Bundesrat (November 3, 2016)

◢  Economic diplomacy – Signing of an agreement between Business France and companies engaged in international trade, in the presence of Matthias Fekl

◢  Economic diplomacy – Meeting between Matthias Fekl, Dominique Langlois and Marc Pages, chairman and chief executive officer of the national inter-professional meat and livestock association (INTERBEV)

 
International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists – Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault (November 2, 2016)

On the occasion of the third Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon Scholarship ceremony, I want to pay tribute to the memory of these journalists who paid for their commitment to press freedom with their lives.

For France, defending the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression is a foreign policy priority. At its initiative, on November 26, 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the security of journalists that calls on States to prevent violence against them and to fight against impunity for the perpetrators of such violence.

November 2 was the date chosen as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists as a tribute to Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon. France is committed to establishing the truth in that tragic case and notes that its legal authorities sent requests for mutual legal assistance to the Malian authorities.



China – Visit by Jean-Marc Ayrault (October 29 - November 1, 2016)

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault was in China (Chengdu, Beijing and Shanghai) from October 29 to November 1.

In Chengdu, the Minister spoke at the Fifth Congress on Decentralized Cooperation, where several French local authorities were represented. A number of projects have been developed since the first French-Chinese sister-cities agreement was reached between Montpellier and Chengdu in 1981, and today there are 55 such partnerships, involving school construction, projects for cleaning up industrial waste, the design of public gardens, medical cooperation, and sustainable urban development. The cities of Bordeaux, Lamballe, Montpellier, Moret-sur-Loing, Paris, Saint-Denis de la Réunion, Tours, the Seine et Marne Department, and the Centre Val de Loire region all received awards at this Fifth French-Chinese Conference. The Minister also had a long meeting with the major leaders of Sichuan Province to promote French cooperation with that region of 80 million inhabitants.

In Beijing, the Minister met with top Chinese officials: President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Vice Premier Liu Yandong. The meeting with the Chinese President emphasized the high caliber of bilateral relations. Discussions covered all subjects of mutual interest relating to the French-Chinese bilateral relationship and cooperation on the international scene.

In both Beijing and Shanghai, Mr. Ayrault also met with a number of economic figures: young entrepreneurs from the French Tech Hubs in Beijing and Shanghai, investors from major Chinese consortia, travel writers, members of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, and Foreign Trade Advisors. These conversations allowed the Minister to underscore the following messages:

  • France and China want to continue expanding their economic ties. Beyond the efforts that remain necessary for French goods and services to secure better access to the Chinese market, Mr. Ayrault's message on investments is clear: Chinese investments are welcome in France; a dialogue takes place when investment projects are strategic in nature; we must support start-ups, SMEs and large French groups seeking to become established in China, stressing the principle of reciprocity. French companies have now created nearly 600,000 jobs in China, corresponding to overall revenues of €80 billion.
  • Chinese tourists are welcome in France, where they are very well received. In 2015, France welcomed 2.2 million Chinese tourists. That number will probably be smaller in 2016. With improved security conditions, campaigns promoting France as a destination, and more diversified travel opportunities nationwide, France hopes to welcome five million Chinese visitors annually by 2020. Mr. Ayrault delivered this confident, ambitious message to Chinese travel professionals, and it will be passed on via stepped-up promotional efforts and opportunities in the coming months.



Syria – Meeting between Jean-Marc Ayrault and Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, chairman of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry for Syria (November 3, 2016)

On November 3, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault will receive Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, chairman of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry for Syria established by the UN Human Rights Council.

They will discuss the status of the Commission's investigations, particularly the special investigation on the situation in Aleppo with which it was tasked at the October 21 session of the Human Rights Council with a view to identifying the perpetrators of human rights violations. France fully supports the Commission of Inquiry, which is playing a vital role in establishing the facts and laying the groundwork for prosecution.

As violence on the ground intensifies, the Syrian regime, its allies, and Daesh are continuing to carry out their atrocities. France remains committed to combating impunity for crimes committed in Syria, as it did when it turned the "Caesar" photos over to the court.



Germany – Meeting between Jean-Marc Ayrault and Malu Dreyer, Minister President of the Rhineland-Palatinate and President of the German Bundesrat (November 3, 2016)

On November 3, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault will receive Malu Dreyer, Minister President of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate and President of the Bundesrat since November 1, under the Upper House's rotating presidency.

This meeting will provide an opportunity to reiterate the importance France attributes to cooperation in numerous areas with this border state and to discuss major current issues with an important German political and institutional figure.



Economic diplomacy – Signing of an agreement between Business France and companies engaged in international trade, in the presence of Matthias Fekl

Today for the seventh time, Matthias Fekl, minister of state for foreign trade, the promotion of tourism, and French nationals abroad, convened the Strategic Export Committee that brings together public and private actors responsible for the internationalization of companies and support for exports.

This meeting focused on reviewing the state of the healthcare sector, the economic security of export companies, and the operational follow-up given to measures adopted since March 2015 to benefit SMEs engaged in exports.

At the end of the meeting, Business France and several international trade entities signed a partnership agreement that strengthens ties between public and private operators in order to ensure that their support for French companies engaged in exports is more consistent and more effective.



Economic diplomacy – Meeting between Matthias Fekl, Dominique Langlois and Marc Pages, chairman and chief executive officer of the national inter-professional meat and livestock association (INTERBEV)

This afternoon, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism, and French Nationals Abroad Matthias Fekl is receiving Dominique Langlois and Marc Pages, chairman and chief executive officer, respectively, of Interbev, the national inter-professional meat and livestock association.

They will look at the challenges facing the sector with respect to exports, examining export financing and support mechanisms and reviewing relevant international trade agreements.

This sector represents 259,000 jobs in France. France is Europe's top livestock producer, ahead of Germany and Italy, with 19 million head of cattle. It exports nearly 250,000 tons of beef of the 12 million tons produced each year.


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