Foreign policy
Elections
Europa
France's foreign policy is founded on several centuries of diplomatic tradition and some fundamental principles: the right of peoples to self-determination, respect for human rights and democratic principles, respect for the rule of law and cooperation among nations. Within this framework, France's concern is to preserve its national independence while at the same time working to foster the construction of Europe as well as regional and international solidarity.
The construction of Europe
The European flag in front of the Berlaymont building
Europa
From as early as 1945, the construction of Europe has been at the heart of French foreign policy. There have been several major reasons for this: the desire to restore peace and guarantee the security of the States, strengthen democratic government and build an integrated economic and monetary area able to ensure prosperity for the peoples of Europe.
Since then, France has worked unceasingly to make the European project a reality and develop it into an economic power and respected political forum.
With 27 members, the European Union is the third-largest group in the world, with 3% of all dry land, 7.6% of the world's population and a quarter of global wealth.
With GDP of €10,817 billion in 2006, the European Union is ahead of the US and Asia.
International security
In the area of security, the Cold War years and the subsequent period of instability placed heavy responsibilities on all the democratic nations, including France. Party to the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO), France also belongs to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Eurocorps.
As one of the five nuclear powers - alongside the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia and China - France is maintaining and adapting its deterrent force to the new strategic realities and endeavors to take the European dimension of its defense into account. It is also working towards a total ban on nuclear testing and is committed to arms control and disarmament.
Action at the UN
UN Organisation
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, F. de La Mure
France's foreign policy is conducted in accordance with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations. Since 1945 France has supported the UN, and as its fifth largest contributor, contributed a total of €81.36 million to the UN's regular budget and €79.89 million to the UN system's specialized agencies in 2005.
As a permanent member of the Security Council, France has participated directly in many UN peacekeeping operations (in the Middle East, Cambodia, the former Yugoslavia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, Haiti, Lebanon, etc.).
French contributions to peacekeeping operations stood at €240 million in 2006.
France also supports the action of the UN in the area of development aid, in particular through contributions and technical assistance that it fund the main programmes for fighting poverty (UNDP), child protection (UNICEF).
Mission of France to the United Nations
International cooperation
France's international cooperation policy relies on the exercise of both influence and solidarity.
The Directorate-General for Development and International Cooperation (DGCID) implements this policy along four main lines:
Development aid through cooperation
Solar panels
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, F. de La Mure
France intends to continue its effort of solidarity towards the poorest countries and in 2007, is expected to have devoted €9.1 billion to official development assistance. This sum represents 0.5% of French GDP, a step towards the 2012 objective - 0.7%.
Most of the funds provided by France for development aid are devoted to bilateral assistance provided directly to the beneficiary countries by French government departments or those acting for them.
In 2007, development in Africa remained a priority for French foreign policy. The proportion of bilateral aid going to sub-Saharan Africa was 53% in 2007.
Encouraging cultural exchanges and the use of the French language
France has 144 French cultural establishments abroad, established in 90 countries, and a network of 283 Alliances françaises.
The policy of promoting the French language concerns 110 million learners in 130 countries and relies on 850,000 teachers. The Agency for French Studies Abroad (AEFE) coordinates the activities of the 252 French schools in the world.
Promoting scientific and academic cooperation
France intends to both support the internationalisation of French research and to disseminate information on the scientific systems of partner countries.
The Science and Technology Observatory and the 28 French research centres abroad are responsible for implementing these objectives.
As regards academic cooperation, France manages over 200 francophone higher education courses throughout the world and reinforces in particular its relations with partners such as Germany and the United States. More and more foreign students are studying in France: they number 250,000 at present.
Campus France, under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign and European affairs and the Ministry of Education, aims to promote higher education in France abroad, help to welcome foreign students and researchers to France and set up partnerships with foreign universities.
Ensuring a French presence on the world audiovisual scene
The presence of French television abroad is increasingly strong and support for major operators in this sector, such as the French-speaking channel TV5 and Radio France International (RFI), has become a government priority. France 24, the first French 24-hour news channel, was launched in December 2006 and broadcasts in French, English and Arabic, presenting world news from a French perspective.
France also supports the distribution of French films and documentaries.
Humanitarian action
France gives humanitarian action a specific place in its foreign policy, and also demonstrates its loyalty to the values it has inspired. France has played a vital role in the development of humanitarian action and international humanitarian law.
The French Foreign Ministry's Humanitarian Action Delegation implements the emergency humanitarian relief actions abroad.
The Delegation therefore coordinates the action of its various institutional partners such as the Sécurité civile (emergency services dealing with natural disasters, bomb disposal, etc), Samu mondial (mobile emergency medical service - international branch), the French Defence Ministry, emergency NGOs and companies engaged in humanitarian work.
The funds earmarked for these programmes totalled €8.8 million in 2006 (over 12 million if we count the additional funds allocated for the crisis in Lebanon). French NGOs working abroad receive about 75% of these funds in the form of grants.
In this area France also provides support to the activities of multilateral organisations. In 2006, €50 million was paid to various UN humanitarian agencies: Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNICEF, World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and so on.
Finally, France's contribution to programmes implemented within the European framework amounts to more than €100 million. Working through ECHO (European Community Humanitarian Office), France provides aid to countries or peoples in need, suffering the effects of natural disasters or political crises.
The fight against terrorism
As a victim of international terrorism both at home and abroad, France has for many years shown its determination to combat terrorism in all its forms and irrespective of its source.
France, which considers that an uncompromising fight to eliminate terrorism must be conducted without prejudice to human rights and civil liberties, has put in place specific anti-terrorism legislation.
The United Nations resolutions adopted following the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States have strengthened international cooperation against terrorism.
France is an active participant in the work of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC).
- Sources: Ministry of foreign and european affairs
- Updated: 01.08.2008
