Faced with the tensions of the past three days, France calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid any action likely to lead to an escalation. We are in contact with all of our partners to work in this direction.
We reiterate our strong condemnation of the indiscriminate rocket attacks that targeted Israeli territory from Gaza and southern Lebanon. France recalls its unwavering attachment to the security of Israel and to the stability and sovereignty of (…)
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Diplomat
Attack in Tel-Aviv (08.04.23) – Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
written by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Catherine Colonna, met yesterday with her Iranian counterpart, Mr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, present in Beijing for talks with the Saudi Foreign Minister. The minister renewed her pressing demand for the immediate release of the six French people that Iran is holding (…)
Facilitate access to the archives of the Algerian war: publication of a guide dedicated to the archives relating to repatriated Algerians
written by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief
Since 2018, the Government has been working to facilitate access for all to the archives of the Algerian war. This ambition has materialized through a major amendment to the Heritage Code, which now provides that archives covered by national defense secrets are automatically declassified when they become freely communicable, by decisions to open early entire collections not freely communicable, but also by putting guides online to facilitate research in the archives. After a first guide on the disappeared from the Algerian war and a second on the Harkis, a new research tool has just been published: it concerns repatriated Algerians.
The sources on the subject being very numerous, the guide is divided into three parts:
1. A general introduction, following the usual definitions, presents the complex history of the administration responsible for repatriated persons from 1961 to the present day, then discusses the conditions for the repatriation of persons and goods.
2. A section relating to public policies presents the fonds containing individual files, and focuses on compensation and assistance policies as well as the different types of tribute paid to returnees.
3. A section relating to social policies deals with the housing and living conditions of repatriates, then work, and in particular reclassification, education, and finally the surveillance to which they have been subjected and the claims they have expressed, in particular through their associations.
Led by the Interministerial Service of the Archives of France, this extensive work is the result of close interministerial collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of the Armed Forces and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It reports on the sources that are kept in French public archive services, both at central and territorial level; it is a broad panorama that does not aim to be exhaustive, but opens up many avenues of research.
The guide, designed to be accessible to the public unfamiliar with the functioning of archives, is intended for all those who, connoisseurs or beginners, academics or amateurs, wish to undertake research on the subject.
This work is part of the policy of recognition of memories desired by the President of the Republic and pursued by the French Government, to which the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of the Armed Forces and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs intend contribute fully, by allowing researchers, journalists and all interested citizens to access whole sections of the history shared between France and Algeria.
The guide is available at this link.
Draft joint declaration between France and the United Kingdom on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of their ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (06.04.23)
written by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief
1. Twenty-five years ago to the day, on April 6, 1998, the French Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland jointly ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Our two countries had signed the CTBT following it was opened for signature on September 26, 1996.
2. France and the United Kingdom were the first two nuclear-weapon States to ratify this treaty. By ratifying it, we made a firm commitment “not to carry out any nuclear weapon test explosion or other nuclear explosion and to prohibit and prevent any such explosion at any place under its jurisdiction or control”.
3. The CTBT is a fundamental element of the international nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime, although it has not yet entered into force. In this regard, France and the United Kingdom express their concern following Russia’s announcement of its willingness to be ready to carry out a nuclear test. We reaffirm the importance of the CTBT, which Russia has signed and ratified, and of Russia’s compliance with its moratorium on nuclear testing. We also recall that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the only country to have conducted nuclear tests of explosive devices in the 21st century. We reiterate that it cannot and never will achieve nuclear-weapon State status under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and we urge it to refrain from new nuclear tests in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
4. In this context, France and the United Kingdom wish to reaffirm their firm and constant support for the universalization and entry into force of the CTBT, in order to make legally binding the voluntary moratorium accepted by almost all all States, as evidenced by the 186 signatures and 174 ratifications of the treaty. The two countries recall that Security Council resolution 2310, which they co-sponsored, urges all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the CTBT. This unequivocal call from the Security Council must be heeded.
5. France and the United Kingdom believe that reporting on tangible and solid steps taken towards nuclear disarmament can encourage other countries to sign, ratify and implement the CTBT. Accordingly, France and the United Kingdom have provided political, technical and financial support to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) for 25 years and support the operation of the CTBTO International Monitoring System. .
6. Twenty-five years following it was opened for signature, the CTBT is more important than ever. France and the United Kingdom remain determined to continue to preserve this treaty and make it a universal instrument.