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Long stay visas equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS)
15th-06-2009 As of 1st June 2009, holders of long stay visas for France (3 months +) will be exempted from applying for a residence permit (carte de sejour) at the Prefecture after their arrival in France. Beneficiaries of the reform - foreign dependents of French Nationals - visitors - students - employees - temporary workers Geographical zones concerned The new provisions are valid for metropolitan France, French Overseas Departments (Guadeloupe, Guyanne, (...) [read ...]

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France’s representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan : Summary of Mr. Pierre Lellouche’s final mission to Afghanistan and Central Asia, June 30, 2009New article
30th-06-2009 As you know, Pierre Lellouche was appointed Minister of State responsible for European Affairs. Within the scope of his previous functions as the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, he carried out his final mission to Afghanistan on June 18 and 19, to continue efforts to strengthen French commitment to that country in terms of security, governance and development. This visit allowed the French constitutional law specialist, Guy Carcassonne, who had participated in (...) [read ...]

Lebanon : Communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic, June 27, 2009
27th-06-2009 President Sarkozy welcomes the designation of Mr Saad Hariri to form the new Lebanese government. This appointment has occurred following the conclusion of the recent outstandingly well-run general election, which highlighted the robustness of Lebanese democracy. President Sarkozy wishes Mr Hariri all the best in carrying out his mission. He assures him of the continuation of France’s wholehearted, resolute support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, stability and (...) [read ...]

Middle East : Statement made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs spokesperson, June 25, 2009
25th-06-2009 Q - What do you think of the speech given by Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad at Al-Quds University on the creation of a Palestinian State without waiting for an end to the occupation ? In this speech given on June 22 at Al-Quds University, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority called on the Palestinian people to unite in support of the plan to create a Palestinian State and strengthen its institutions. This speech confirms the Palestinian Authority’s approach (...) [read ...]

France/ Israel : Communiqué issued following the meeting between Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy and Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, June 24, 2009
24th-06-2009 The President of the Republic had an in-depth discussion on the Middle East with the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on the occasion of his first official visit to France since the Israeli legislative elections in February. The President of the Republic reiterated with the same forcefulness as during his speech to the Knesset on June 23, 2008, that France will never compromise on Israel’s security. This commitment lies at the heart of the relations of (...) [read ...]

Iran/ Nuclear : Statement made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs spokesperson, June 19, 2009
19th-06-2009 Do you have any comment on Mr. ElBaradei’s most recent statements concerning Iran’s nuclear activities, and particularly that Iran is seeking to obtain nuclear weapons ? It is very significant that the Agency’s director general himself expressed the most serious doubts on the objectives being pursued by Iran in its nuclear program. Iran must understand the extent of the international community’s concern and respond to the Agency’s questions without delay. It is troubling to see a (...) [read ...]

Burma : Trial of opposition leader Aung Suu Kyi, June 17, 2009
17th-06-2009 As you have just said, Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi is the victim of a shameful political process which, on my instructions, the French Ambassador attended. It would take me more than two minutes to talk about all the initiatives we’ve taken, but I can tell you that, for two years, we’ve continuously called for the unconditional, immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all the other political prisoners in Burma, in order to set in train a genuine national reconciliation process ahead of the 2010 (...) [read ...]

Political situation in Iran : Communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic, June 15, 2009
15th-06-2009 President Sarkozy is deeply concerned about the developments in the political situation in Iran. He condemns the violence against the demonstrators, the arrest of opponents and political figures, restrictions on public freedoms including the freedom of expression and communication, and the hindrance of both Iranian and foreign journalists. Several opposition candidates have contested the validity of the ballot. It would be unacceptable if vote-rigging had falsified the election (...) [read ...]

North Korea : UNSCR 1874 adopted by the United Nations Security Council, June 12, 2009
12th-06-2009 Communiqué issued by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs France welcomes the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous adoption of UNSCR 1874, which firmly condemns the nuclear test carried out by North Korea on 25 May. The nuclear test, launch of a ballistic device on 5 April and recent firing of North Korean missiles threaten international peace and security and flagrantly violate UNSCRs 1695 and 1718. The international community has reacted firmly to these serious (...) [read ...]

Swine Flu, 12th June 2009
12th-06-2009 Sir, Madam, The latest bulletin from the Indian Ministry of Health on the H1N1 virus confirms eleven positive cases of people infected by the virus. Most of the infected persons reside in South India. Over the past two days, two confirmed cases have been detected in Delhi. The Indian Government has decided to activate sixteen laboratories authorized to conduct virus detection tests across India. The Indian authorities have indicated that the situation is currently under control. The (...) [read ...]

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