News

Passing of Miriam Makeba

Announcement by Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs on 10 November 2008 in Paris: "I was deeply moved by the news of the death of Miriam Makeba, great artist and great voice in the fight against apartheid, in the struggle against racism and for the reconciliation of South (...) [read ...]

French-SA police co-operation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

On 30 October 2008, several hundred South African Police Service officers and their 6 trainers from the French police force showcased social order maintenance techniques as well as their newly acquired body armour in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. In July 2008 the French police (...) [read ...]

Opening of Haven of Hope for vulnerable children in Pimville

On 24 October 2008, the Haven of Hope / Havre d’Espoir, a place of safety for children in Pimville, Soweto, was opened by the French Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Denis Pietton and Ms Poppy Ngwekazi Thabethe, representing the Gauteng Education Department. The Haven of Hope / Havre d’Espoir is (...) [read ...]

2008 Nobel Prize in Literature to M. Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio

The 2008 Nobel Prize for Literature has been awarded to French writer Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio for his body of work inspired by the themes of travel, exile and nostalgia for primitive worlds. The third French Nobel Laureate chosen by the Swedish Academy in four days, J.M.G. Le Clézio, who (...) [read ...]

Two French researchers win the Nobel Prize in Medicine

The 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine, the supreme honour awarded by the Swedish Academy of Stockholm, has been awarded to French researchers Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier, for the discovery of the AIDS virus, and to the German scientist Harald zur Hausen for his research into the causes (...) [read ...]

The new «Skills and Talents» permit

If you have skills or abilities academically or professionally recognised, you can benefit from the new system set up by France to promote skills exchanges. The “Skills and Talents” permit facilitates the movement of foreign citizens who are likely to contribute in a significant and lasting way (...) [read ...]

Ambassador delivers EU address

The French Ambassador, Mr Denis Pietton, addressed an IDASA discussion in Cape Town on 17 September on the priorities of France's EU presidency. These priorities are the EU’s energy policy and climate change, immigration, European security and defence and European agricultural policy. Climate (...) [read ...]

Matthews Phosa attends business breakfast at FSACCI

Matthews Phosa, treasury general of the ANC, met with members of the French-South African Chamber for Commerce and Industry (FSACCI) as well as the French Ambassador, Denis Pietton, on 11 September 2008 for an exchange on economic and commercial perspectives on South (...) [read ...]

French Presidency of the European Union Council

The Republic of France holds the Presidency of the European Union Council from 1 July until 31 December 2008. On the evening of June 30, the Eiffel Tower was illuminated in blue with the twelve stars of Europe to mark the beginning of the French Presidency of the European Union in the presence (...) [read ...]

French artists create giant puppets for Pale Ya Rona Gauteng (...)

On Saturday 6 September 2008 the streets of Johannesburg came to life when more than 15 000 people joined this year's fourth Pale Ya Rona Gauteng Carnival organised by the Gauteng Provincial Government. For the carnival “Les Grandes Personnes”, a French artist collective, created giant puppets (...) [read ...]

Official statements on foreign policy

• Christine Lagarde on 15 November G20 meeting | 15 November G20 meeting - (...)
• Daily press briefing by Ministry Deputy Spokesperson | UNEP conference on (...)
• Press communiqué from the French Embassy in London in response to “The Sunday (...)
• Remembrance Sunday – French honour those who died for France
• Informal EU meeting - President Sarkozy's press conference with EU (...)

French diplomatic news

• Appointment of Hillary Clinton to the position of Secretary of State of the (...)
• Reactions of the Rwandan government following the arrest of Rose Kabuye (...)
• International Climate Change Conference in Poznań (From December 1st to (...)
• Ministerial meeting on Afghanistan’s relations with the countries in its (...)
• Meeting of Mr Jouyet with the Deputy Prime Minister for European (...)