Two years after the pandemic, the usual Conference of French Ambassadors was still held in a “special moment”, according to President Macron. Despite the context of “returning the war to European bases”, the Conference was an opportunity for the French President and the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs to define a clear direction for French diplomacy, because “the first objective of our diplomacy is to to protect the strength, influence and independence of France”.
Since 1993, all heads of French diplomatic missions have met in Paris at the end of August. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs points out, “This meeting is an opportunity for the highest authorities of the French state to give the annual instructions for the work of the representatives of France abroad and in international organizations.“. As such, the Ministry continues, it is “a pivotal moment for French diplomacy“.
Synergy of agendas and continuation of Choose France plan
“The stronger the country is economically, the more we will be able to radiate, establish and develop our strength.“. In his speech to the ambassadors, French President Emmanuel Macron insisted on the need to continue “speeding up work to make us more attractive“and, to do so, to”perpetuate popular initiatives Choose France“. During these summits organized in Versailles, France’s economic strength, but also its cultural, sports and gastronomic forces will be represented in the “synergy of agendas”.
Regarding this, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, in her speech stated that it was “under the banner of Choose France and thanks to the competition reforms carried out during the last five-year term” him France had become the most attractive country in Europe in terms of foreign investment projects.
Impact and not radiation
So that “they make France stronger and contribute to her influence and splendour“, it is necessary, according to the President,to fully obtain an influence and radiation strategy for France“. However, instead of talking about brilliance, President Macron prefers the word “impact”because “influence simply consists of explaining what we are and being able to do it while respecting each other, and assuming that there is not necessarily an imbalanced relationship“.
Impact at all levels, including university collaboration
In addition to the general strategy of attractiveness and foreign trade strategy, Macron wants to continue “the work that has begun and is being strengthened for schools and education“. In this regard, he welcomed the reform of AEFE, which has made possible the best education”children from other countries of the world who wish to have access to the French language and the quality of our education“. In the same way, he added that “we will continue to invest, support and increase cooperation“and in particular”to further strengthen our university cooperation with actors of key countries for us in this direction“.
According to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, education”must also remain at the center of our concerns: we will strengthen the network of excellence in French-style teaching, through the network of French schools abroad.“what is”one of our best vectors for expanding the French-speaking world and a way of seeing the world“. And, she added that “Our objective should also be to put France back on the podium of the most attractive nations for international students“.
New forms of cultural partnerships
Another point of influence strategy: culture. To develop influence, the diplomatic network has “a key role with the French Institute, the supervisory entity“. But, Macron emphasized that new cultural projects will have to build on a “the spirit of partnership between equals“. to change the way”public opinion and young people“Look at France,”we must also increase our cooperation in the cultural and creative industries, in heritage and succeed in using the forms of partnership that we reinvest“.
A new perception of France through sport
sports”it should also be at the heart of this impact agenda“, insofar as the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in France in 2024 is a “unprecedented moment of mobilization of our entire network“. will be “a unique diplomatic and protocol event organized in Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis, Marseille, French Polynesia and in all the territories that have mobilized around this event“. Thus, according to the President, “with the African continent, with the Asian continent, with the Latin American continent, the sports and educational strategy is a lever for creating joint projects”, especially since sport also has the capacity to “bring value to our diasporas“, which represents “a complete change in the perception of France“.
The Foreign Minister added that 70 embassies are already involved in this major event via “The Land of Games” label.
