Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will receive Mobashar Jawed Akbar, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, today.

Two months after Jean-Marc Ayrault's visit to India, this meeting will provide an opportunity to take stock of bilateral relations, to continue our discussions on strategic cooperation and to discuss major international issues.

Fine dining – Presentation by Jean-Marc Ayrault of the "Goût de/Good France" event (Paris - March 7, 2017)

Goût de/Good France is a celebration of the vitality of French cuisine, bringing together chefs from all over the world; it is an event that promotes dialogue about different cultures by providing a common language: the language of food.

Following the success of the 2016 edition in which 1,750 chefs in 150 countries participated, the 2017 edition of Goût de/Good France will be launched by Jean-Marc Ayrault and Chef Alain Ducasse on March 7 at the Quai d'Orsay.

The third edition of Goût de/Good France will focus on training for the catering, hotel and tourism industries, bringing together schools and students from all over the world. 71 culinary schools from around the world will take part in the event by serving French-style dishes on March 21.

More than 2,000 restaurants, 71 culinary schools and 150 French embassies on all five continents will take part in the event on March 21 by providing dishes that celebrate all categories of restaurants - from gourmet dining to exceptional bistros.

2,000 chefs will therefore offer menus showcasing French cuisine to more than 250,000 diners on March 21 all around the world.

Each menu will feature dishes that are lower in fat, sugar and salt, thereby promoting the art of eating well and respect for the environment. Each restaurant will have the freedom to set the price of its menu and will commit to paying 5% of sales to a local NGO working to support health and the environment.

EU – Harlem Désir attending General Affairs Council (Brussels - March 7, 2017)

Minister of State for European Affairs Harlem Désir is attending today's General Affairs Council in Brussels.

The ministers will make preparations for the European Council of March 9-10, which will deal with the following points: promoting jobs, growth and European competitiveness; continuing and expanding the European defense; and implementing the response to the migrant crisis, particular its external aspects. Mr. Désir will stress the importance of resolute action by the EU in the social sphere and an ambitious approach to funding the European defense.

The ministers will also adopt two highly important texts to enhance the protection of Europeans:

• a counterterrorism directive that will make it possible to criminalize travel connected with terrorist activities, their organization and their financing, as well as recruitment, public incitement and the defense of terrorism
• an amendment to the Schengen border code, in order to establish systematic controls on the EU’s external borders.

French citizens abroad – Awarding of trophies to French citizens abroad (Paris - March 7, 2017)

This evening Matthias Fekl, minister of state for foreign trade, the promotion of tourism, and French nationals abroad, will open the fifth award ceremony for French citizens living abroad.

Seven winners will be honored for their outstanding accomplishments in the following categories: culture and lifestyle; education; entrepreneurship; up-and-coming (under age 30); social and humanitarian; public's prize; alumni of French lycées abroad (category open to all nationalities).

Organized by lepetitjournal.com, this contest aims to highlight the successful career paths and international commitments that lend influence and prestige to France in the world. Participants must live outside of France, be at least 18 years of age, and have made a significant contribution in their field.

Niger – Terrorist attack on security and defense forces (March 6, 2017)

France condemns the terrorist attack on March 6 that killed five members of Niger's security and defense forces in Wanzarbe. Thanks to decisive action by Nigerien security forces backed by troops from Operation Barkhane, the attackers fled.

We offer our condolences to the victims' families and the authorities of Niger and wish those injured a speedy recovery.

France supports the efforts by nations in the region to respond to the terrorist threat at the cross-border level, particularly within the framework of the G5 Sahel.