Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian took part in a videoconference of Union for the Mediterranean foreign ministers on the occasion of the 5^th UfM Regional Forum. This year's conference was held on the anniversary of the launch of the Barcelona Process in 1995.

The Minister expressed his hope that the UfM's activities would focus on very concrete actions, especially in the implementation of joint projects between EU member states and the other Mediterranean nations.

He shared France's intention to draw up an action plan with its partners for a Mediterranean that would be exemplary in terms of marine biodiversity, sustainable fishing, the fight against marine pollution, and forms of maritime transport that protect the environment and the climate.

India – Virtual visit by Franck Riester (November 27 – December 1, 2020)

Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is paying a virtual visit to India from November 27 to December 1.

M. Riester and his counterpart, Hardeep Singh Puri, will discuss the most important projects and areas of bilateral cooperation in terms of trade and the economy: civilian nuclear power, the digital sector and sustainable cities. They will address trade relations between the EU and India and the challenges of multilateral trade regulation, especially the need to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The two ministers will underscore their wish to continue deepening the economic partnership between France and India. At the meeting of the India-France Joint Trade and Investment Committee, France and India will establish a fast-track mechanism to more regularly examine problems encountered by French and Indian companies so that they may be swiftly resolved.

In his conversations with the French and Indian business communities, Mr. Riester will present the measures taken by France to confront the health and economic crisis, in particular the €100 billion recovery plan and its components dealing with exports and economic attractiveness. The Minister Delegate will meet with more than 15 Indian business leaders who are investing in France or would like to do so, notably in the context of the challenges created by Brexit.

To wrap up this virtual visit, the Minister Delegate will join Piyush Goyal, India's Minister of Railways and Minister of Commerce and Industry, in opening the Ambition India Business Forum on December 1, which will be held under the high patronage of President Macron.

In 2019, the volume of trade between France and India reached €11.6 billion, up 0.5% over the previous year. The 550 subsidiaries of French groups operating in India employ 350,000 people, making France the country's leading European employer, while nearly 8,000 jobs have been created by 120 subsidiaries of Indian companies in France.

Cross-border cooperation

Concerning the closing of ski stations, might France have any special influence, in light of its status, over Andorra's decision to invite potential French skiers to its slopes, which remain open? Is this a matter to be resolved by the European Council?

As President Macron said in his speech on November 24, we are coordinating on this point with our European neighbors. Generally speaking, since the beginning of the crisis France has favored European coordination on measures to combat Covid and discussions with our European partners, especially on border issues.