During his visit to Indonesia, Jean-Marc Ayrault inaugurated an "export club to promote renewable energy" together with Ignasius Jonan, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, in the presence of Jean Ballandras, Renewable Energies Coordinator, Xavier Daval, Vice-President of the Syndicat des Énergies Renouvelables (Renewable Energy Association), as well as French firms that belong to the club.

The launch of this body forms part of the French-Indonesian strategic partnership. This is the third "export club to promote renewable energy" that has been established following the inauguration of the "East Africa and Indian Ocean club" in May 2016 and the "Middle East club" in January 2017.

For more details please refer to the press communiqué: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/indonesie/evenements/article/a-l-occasion-de-la-visite-en-indonesie-de-jean-marc-ayrault-ministre-des.

Australia – Visit by Jean-Marc Ayrault (March 1-3, 2017)

Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will visit Australia from March 1 to 3. He will be received by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and will meet with his counterpart, Julie Bishop, with whom he will sign a declaration on strengthening the strategic partnership between our two countries. He will also meet with Minister for Trade and Tourism Steven Ciobo.

In Sydney, Mr. Ayrault will open an economic forum aimed at bringing together French and Australian firms and will speak about environmental and climate issues at the University of New South Wales. He will present French expertise in innovation at the launch of the "Creative France" 2017 agenda and will visit the facilities of a French firm specializing in renewable energy. He will also speak at the Lowy Institute, Australia's leading think tank, about how Australia and France, which are neighbors in the Pacific and Indian Ocean, should address global challenges.

In Canberra, Mr. Ayrault will underscore the importance of the French-Australian scientific partnership at the signing of an agreement between the Australian National University and Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University; he will host the launch of the "Science and Innovation" joint action plan.

In Melbourne, Mr. Ayrault will bestow the Legion of Honor upon Australian veterans of World War II, thereby paying tribute to the Australian soldiers who died fighting for the liberation of France during the two world wars, a shared memory that binds us to Australia. He will conclude his trip with a visit to the Alliance française, where he will stress the importance of culture and human exchanges when he meets with young French people living in Australia.

Mr. Ayrault will be accompanied by a large delegation of businessmen and women, led by Guillaume Pepy, in his capacity as Chairman of the France-Australia Business Council of MEDEF International, as well as his Special Representative for relations with Australia, Ross McInnes.

Turkey / Press freedom – Detention of Deniz Yücel

France is deeply concerned by the decision taken on February 27 by an Istanbul court to place Deniz Yücel, the Turkish correspondent for the German paper Die Welt, in pre-trial detention.

It is essential that Turkey abide by its international commitments to freedom of expression and particularly the freedom of the press, a crucial component of every democratic society.

Egypt – Sinai attacks

What is your reaction to the attacks on Copts in the Sinai?

France condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attacks on civilians—including members of the Coptic community—in the Sinai that have left several people dead since late January.

We offer our condolences to the victims' families and assure Egypt of our solidarity in the face of terrorism.