Laurent Fabius met this morning with Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Syria Staffan de Mistura.

Discussions focused on the prospects for relaunching a political process aimed at implementing a transition in Syria, based on the Geneva Communiqué.

Laurent Fabius and Staffan de Mistura also discussed the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation. The regime’s indiscriminate barrel bomb attacks have resulted in the death of thousands of civilians, in violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Security Council resolutions.

China - Visit by Chinese Prime Minister, Li Keqiang, to Marseille and Arles (July 1, 2015)

As Laurent Fabius had suggested during his 10th visit to China on May 15 and 16, Chinese Prime Minister, Li Keqiang, will travel with the minister of foreign affairs and international development to Arles in order to learn about the exceptional ancient heritage of this city; they will also visit Marseille.

This visit to France’s second largest city and the surrounding region will provide an opportunity for the Chinese prime minister to experience French excellence in the areas of cultural heritage, economic development and innovation.

At the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (MuCEM), Li Keqiang will meet, alongside Laurent Fabius, with young French designers and entrepreneurs. Laurent Fabius will then host a gastronomic meal featuring the cuisine of Marseille in his honor which will be attended by political, economic and cultural personalities from the region. Basile Boli, Marseille's Ambassador for Euro 2016 who has initiated an ambitious cooperation project with China in the field of soccer, chef Gérald Passédat and architect Rudy Riccioti will notably attend the dinner.

Li Keqiang will also visit the headquarters of CMA CGM, the world's third largest maritime transport group and a symbol of the economic vitality of Marseille and France. Agreements will be signed during this visit.

Germany - French-German Journalism Prize (Paris, July 1, 2015)

Harlem Désir, Minister of State for European Affairs and Secretary-General for French-German Cooperation, will present the 2015 French-German Journalism Prize tomorrow.

The purpose of this award, which was created in 1983, is to promote mutual understanding of political, economic, social and cultural realities in France and Germany. Prizes are awarded in four categories: video, audio, the written press and multimedia. The Young Talent Award is given to young reporters under the age of 30.

Mali - UN - Renewal of MINUSMA mandate (New York, June 29)

France applauds yesterday’s renewal, by the UN Security Council, of the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

In this resolution presented by France, the Security Council underscored the historic opportunity represented by the peace agreement completed on June 20, and urged the parties to implement their commitments.

MINUSMA will play a leading role in supporting its implementation on both the political and security fronts, due to the 10,000 peacekeepers deployed in Mali.

Israel - Bilateral dialogue on combating racism and anti-Semitism (June 29)

France and Israel decided to establish a bilateral dialogue on the fight against racism and anti-Semitism, a fight that the President has made a national cause.

This forum for dialogue will bring together experts who will brainstorm and discuss experiences and best practices.

The first session was held yesterday in Paris and was co-chaired by Patrizianna Sparacino-Thiellay, the French Ambassador-at-Large for Human Rights, and Gideon Behar, the Israeli Director of the Department for Combating Anti-Semitism. The two parties expressed their shared resolve to fight racism and anti-Semitism and reviewed the measures that have been taken in this regard.