Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will bestow the insignia of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor upon John Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States, on December 10.

This distinction is awarded to Mr. Kerry in recognition in particular for his contribution to the development of relations between France and the United States, and for his untiring efforts to promote peace around the world.

Mr. Kerry is a friend of France.

Albania – Visit by Harlem Désir (December 7-8, 2016)

Harlem Désir, Minister of State for European Affairs, is visiting Albania from December 7 to 8 for the launch of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office.

Inspired by the example of the French-German Youth Office, this organization was established based on a decision made at the Paris Balkans 2016 summit in order to promote regional mobility and intercultural exchanges for young people in the Balkans, with the goal of promoting regional reconciliation.

In Tirana, Mr. Désir will meet with Prime Minister Edi Rama, and Minister for European Integration, Klajda Gjosha, to take stock of French economic projects in Albania. Lastly, he will visit the TAP (Trans-Adriatic Pipeline) project, which will be built by the French firm Spiecapag.

Indonesia – Earthquake (December 7, 2016)

France expresses its wholehearted solidarity with the Indonesian authorities and people following the earthquake on December 7 in Aceh province, which has at this point left close to 100 people dead and several hundred injured.

It extends its condolences to the victims' families.

Yemen – Shipwreck

We were saddened to learn of a shipwreck off the coast of Yemen that left dozens dead. We offer our condolences to the victims' families.

France stands with the Yemeni people at this difficult time.

Development – Celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the French Development Agency (December 6, 2016)

The French Development Agency (AFD) founded in London in 1941 by the Free French government marked its 75^th anniversary on December 6.

That anniversary was celebrated yesterday at an event attended by President Hollande along with the presidents of Guinea and Burkina Faso and opened by Jean-Marc Ayrault. Civil society was honored at a ceremony tracing the agency's history and commitment to preparing for five major global transitions: demographic, civil, digital, environmental and energy.

On this occasion, the AFD signed a strategic alliance charter with the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, under the auspices of the President.

The anniversary came a week after a meeting of the Interministerial Committee for International Cooperation and Development, which increased funding for the agency (to 4 billion euros in loans and 400 million euros in donations by 2020) and expanded its geographical and sectoral mandate.