Humanitarian action – Signing of an agreement by Mr. Laurent Fabius and Mr. Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (Paris, October 22, 2014)
Netherlands – Meeting between Mr. Laurent Fabius and his Dutch counterpart (Paris, October 23, 2014)
Democratic Republic of Congo – Awarding of the Sakharov Prize to Dr. Denis Mukwege (October 21, 2014)
Attractiveness of France – International Contemporary Art Fair – Round table organized by the Institut français (Paris, October 22, 2014)
Humanitarian action – Signing of an agreement by Mr. Laurent Fabius and Mr. Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (Paris, October 22, 2014)
This afternoon, Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will sign, together with Mr. Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, an agreement on further strengthening our cooperation.
France, which is a signatory of the first Geneva Convention, the 150th anniversary of which we are celebrating in 2014, reaffirms its commitment to respecting, and ensuring respect for, international humanitarian law, which it has supported since its creation. We are working with the International Committee of the Red Cross to address the consequences of armed conflict while respecting the principles of this institution: humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.
On this occasion, Mr. Laurent Fabius will discuss with Mr. Peter Maurer the main humanitarian crises currently taking place, as well as the challenges relating to the application of international humanitarian law.
Netherlands – Meeting between Mr. Laurent Fabius and his Dutch counterpart (Paris, October 23, 2014)
Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will receive his Dutch counterpart, Mr. Bert Koenders, on October 23.
The two ministers will review the strengthening of our bilateral cooperation, notably in the economic field, as well as key European issues.
They will also discuss the major international crises, including Iraq, Syria and Ukraine. The meeting will provide an opportunity to confirm our shared commitment to the African continent, notably in Mali where Mr. Koenders served as special representative of the UN secretary-general. The discussions will also provide an opportunity to discuss the strengthening of the fight against the Ebola epidemic.
Democratic Republic of Congo – Awarding of the Sakharov Prize to Dr. Denis Mukwege (October 21, 2014)
France welcomes the European Parliament’s decision to award the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Dr. Denis Mukwege.
Through this award, the European Parliament pays tribute to Dr. Mukwege’s tireless and courageous commitment to providing the care and psychological support needed by women who have been victims of sexual violence. His hospital in Bukavu is an example of concrete action in a region where atrocities are committed against women on a continuous basis and where these atrocities amount to war crimes.
France has been supporting Dr. Mukwege’s action for several years and stands alongside all victims of this unacceptable violence. It hopes that the bestowal of this prize will encourage all parties to take decisive action to combat the impunity of perpetrators of sexual violence, who must be brought to justice.
Attractiveness of France – International Contemporary Art Fair – Round table organized by the Institut français (Paris, October 22, 2014)
On the eve of the opening of the 2014 International Contemporary Art Fair (FIAC), the Institut français, an operator of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will today host at the Grand Palais a round table on contemporary art in France. This event will bring together French and foreign professionals, including around 20 young exhibition curators and art critics, who have been invited through the “Focus” program (Institut français) and the “Young Curators Invitational” program (FIAC, Paul Ricard Foundation) in order to develop collaboration with the French art scene.
The 2014 International Contemporary Art Fair at the Grand Palais will feature 191 galleries from 26 countries. A new event – “(OFF)ICIELLE” – will take place at the same time at the City of Fashion and Design, which will host around 60 galleries. The 41st edition of the International Contemporary Art Fair will also provide an opportunity to discover an exceptional artistic program in Paris as well as other regions of the country.
The International Contemporary Art Fair, as well as the opening of the Louis Vuitton Foundation on October 20 and the reopening of the Paris Mint and the Picasso Museum on October 25, make this an exceptional week, reflecting the vitality of contemporary French art.