Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will receive Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, today.

The ministers will discuss the key international issues on which our countries are cooperating, notably including the situation in the Middle East. The minister and his interlocutor will reaffirm our two countries' attachment to the preservation of strong and effective multilateralism.

Jean-Yves Le Drian and Ignazio Cassis will also take stock of the forthcoming meetings focusing on relations between the EU and Switzerland.

The minister will discuss with his interlocutor our trusting and vibrant bilateral relations, especially in the border regions where our populations share catchment areas, the management of which requires close coordination between our two countries. The ministers will exchange views on the progress of negotiations relating to the management of water resources in the Rhone basin.

During this meeting Jean-Yves Le Drian and Ignazio Cassis will discuss the international response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Bilateral relations between France and Switzerland are close and longstanding. We engage in regular political dialogue; the volume of our trade (€31 billion in 2018) and the development of our cross investment reflect the mutual trust between our companies and our investors.

Tourism – Special meeting of the executive board of the Tourism Sector Committee convened by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne (March 10, 2020)

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, has convened a special meeting of the executive board of the Tourism Sector Committee on Tuesday, March10 to discuss the consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Introduced by the Prime Minister at the last Interministerial Tourism Council, the Tourism Sector Committee is an umbrella organization for all tourism professionals (government agencies, businesses, federations, professional associations, unions). It gives tourism professionals a voice in the development of tourism policies. This committee also facilitates the coordination of responses to exceptional situations affecting the sector, such as the coronavirus.

The purpose of tomorrow's meeting is to review the situation with professionals and to look at the consequences of the epidemic on this sector, especially in terms of visitor numbers, economic repercussions and jobs. It will highlight the measures taken by the government and facilitate the coordination of actions and responses by the various stakeholders.

Sudan – Attack targeting the Sudanese Prime Minister (March 9, 2020)

France condemns in the strongest possible terms this morning's assassination attempt against Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and his convey in Khartoum. It calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances and perpetrators of this attack.

France reiterates its full confidence in the efforts of Prime Minister Hamdok and Sudan's transitional authorities to rebuild the country and set it on the path of peace and democracy.

Standing by the Sudanese authorities, it reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the success of the democratic transition that must steer the country toward free elections in 2022.

Greece – Migration

Is France part of the "voluntary coalition of countries" prepared to welcome the children of migrants stranded on the Greek islands, and if so, what will its contribution be?

We refer you to the Ministry of the Interior.