La France en Australie

Vice Admiral R. Crane, Commander in the National order of Merit (17 May 2013)

presse2 — 2013-05-20T02:27:00Z

Vice Admiral Russell Crane, a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy, who served as the Chief of Navy from July 2008 until his retirement in June 2011, has been awarded the insignia of Commander in the National order of Merit by H.E. Mr. Stéphane Romatet, Ambassador of France to Australia at the occasion of a ceremony held at the Residence of France, on Friday 17 May 2013.

Speech of presentation by the Vice-Admiral Stephane Verwaerde:

Admirals, your Excellency, distinguished guests,

I thank you joining us in this ceremony.

Let me start by thanking Mr Stéphane Romatet for welcoming us and hosting this ceremony at the Residence of France.

We are gathered here to honor a very talented Australian Navy officer, and it is my infinite pleasure to take the opportunity of my official visit to Australia to award this distinction to Vice-Admiral Russ Crane.

Admiral, you had an impressive career in the Royal Australian Navy, which lead you to the highest position in the RAN. Today, it is not my intention to remind us all your different postings and achievements. I would like simply to highlight some position in your career, and especially the time when you had command responsibilities.

Of course, as a Navy Aviation men, I noted your time on board your aircraft-carrier HMAS Melbourne, but I would like first to focus on your time as a ship commander. And you had three times to assume the command of one of Her Majesty Australian Ships. In a Navy career, those time are of most importance. Many of us would remember them as their best time in their career, and probably what led us in choosing to serve our country's Navy. First, you commanded a mine hunting vessel HMAS Curlew, which was your first spatiality. Then, you commanded a frigate, HMAS Derwent, and then the replenishment ship HMAS Success. We know her very well because she is the sister ship of our Durance replenishment ship. In 1999, you commanded this ship during the operation Stabilise in support the Australian-Led INTERFET peacekeeping operation in East Timor. At that time, France contributed to the mission sending its light amphibious ship Jacques Cartier from Noumea.

I will remind us secondly of your time as the commander of the Coastwatch and the first commander of the joint Offshore Protection command, which would become later the Border Protection Command which I visited today. I know the very good collaboration with this command due to our shared borders in Kerguelen Island, and our interest in protection our natural resources against illegal fisheries.

I will finish by recalling your time as the chief of Australian Navy. Amiral Forissier told me how great and wonderful visit he had in Australia in July 2010 when you hosted his visit to HMAS Stirling, Canberra and Sydney. He remember the great discussion you had with him on Navy culture and I am sure that he would have strongly appreciated to be here to personally honor you.

Admiral, I have now the great privilege to present you the distinction of commander of the national merit on behalf of the French republic.

Now, I have to say the official award sentence in French ...

Russell Crane, Au nom du Président de la République et en vertu des pouvoirs qui nous sont conférés, nous vous faisons Commandeur dans l'Ordre national du Mérite.


The Vice-Admiral Stephane Verwaerde, helped by Chief Petty Officer Maxime Herbaut, presented the Insigna to Mr. Crane (©Presse/HL).


The Vice-Admiral Stephane Verwaerde, helped by the Defence Attaché, Captain Arnaud Bielecki, confered the Insigna to Mr. Crane (©Presse/HL).


The insignia of Commander in the National Order of Merit (©Presse/HL).


The Ambassador of France, H.E. Mr Stéphane Romatet, and Vice Admiral Russell Crane during his acceptance speech (©Presse/HL).


The official diploma of Commander in the National Order of Merit (©Presse/HL).


An official award ceremony took place at the Residence of the Embassy of France on Friday 17 May 2013 (©Presse/HL).

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition (May 10, 2013)

Service de presse — 2013-05-13T01:16:32Z

France will commemorate the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition on May 10. It recalls that many people continue to be the victims of the slave trade and the worst forms of exploitation all over the world.

France is especially involved in the fight against these modern forms of slavery. It notably calls for the universal ratification of the Additional Protocol to the Palermo Convention which it signed in 2000 and ratified in 2002. This international agreement aims to prevent, suppress and punish human trafficking and to implement instruments aimed at combating these crimes.

France supports the global initiative to combat human trafficking which combines and coordinates the actions of international organizations as well as the United Nations global plan of action against trafficking launched in 2010 which established a fund to provide assistance to victims.


Zanzibar Slave Monument

France is also a party to various International Labor Organization conventions on forced labor and to the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, one of the protocols of which relates to the trafficking of children.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is contributing to this commemoration by organizing several events to raise the awareness among civil society of the current relevance and universal nature of this scourge.

Useful links
United Nations

Monet's Garden, an exihit from the Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris

presse2 — 2013-05-09T06:11:38Z

Monet's Garden is a stunning exhibition devoted to Claude Monet's iconic garden at Giverny. Renowned as the ‘father of French Impressionism', Monet was inspired by his direct experiences of nature, culminating in the ravishing depictions of his lily and flower gardens in the rural property at Giverny, northern France, that became his lifelong obsession. Step into the extraordinary this winter for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these masterpieces in Australia, exclusive to Melbourne.

For more information, visit the National Gallery of Victoria website: www.http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au.

Statement issued by Laurent Fabius - World Press Freedom Day (May 3, 2013)

Service de presse — 2013-05-06T00:59:32Z

On this World Press Freedom Day, I would like to pay tribute to all journalists around the world who strive to uphold the duty to provide information and establish the truth, sometimes at the risk of their own lives.

Since the beginning of 2013, 19 journalists have been killed while carrying out their work. Reporters without Borders described 2012 – with 90 journalists killed last year - as the worst year since its first report in 1995. I would like in particular to pay tribute to the memory of our compatriots Olivier Voisin and Yves Debay who were killed during the last few months in Syria.


Olivier Voisin and Yves Debay ©E.Elias and "Le Parisien"

Because the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press are fundamental rights which must be universally respected, the freedom to exercise the profession of journalism is one of the priorities of our human rights policy. The 21st session of the UN Human Rights Council on September 27 enabled us to adopt a new resolution on the protection of journalists in armed conflict.

We have a duty – and this day reminds us of that – to protect those who work to ensure the freedom of our information.

Useful links United Nations

Glen Keamy, Knight in the National Order of the Agricultural Merit

presse2 — 2013-05-03T06:12:35Z

Mr. Glen Keamy has been awarded the insignia of Knight in the French National Order of the Agricultural Merit by H.E. Mr. Stéphane Romatet, Ambassador of France to Australia at the occasion of a ceremony held at the Residence of France, on Thursday 2 May 2013.

Third generation of Merino breeder from Watheroo in Western Australia, Mr. Glen Keamy has during a career spanning more than five decades tirelessly and enthousiastically promoted the Merino breed both nationally and internationally. As the President of the World Federation of Merino Breeders from 2002 to 2010, he personaly contributed to weaving special ties between France and Australia in this field.


M. Glen Keamy et S.E. M. Stéphane Romatet, Ambassadeur de France en Australie.


M. Glen Keamy recevant les insignes de Chevalier dans l'Odre national du Mérite agricole.


Une poignée de main pour sceller une amitié franco-australienne.


Mme et M. Keamy entourant S.E. M. Stéphane Romatet.


M. Glen Keamy, ancien président de la Fédération mondiale des Eleveurs de Merino, S.E. M. Stéphane Romatet et M. Robert Ashby, actuel président de la Fédération mondiale des Eleveurs de Merino.


M. Kim Henderson, ancien président de l'Association des Eleveurs de Merino de Nouvele-Galles du Sud, M. James Derrick, actuel président de l'Association des Eleveurs de Merino de Nouvelle-Galles du Sud, M. Glen Keamy, ancien président de la Fédération mondiale des Eleveurs de Merino, S.E. M. Stéphane Romatet et M. Robert Ashby, actuel président de la Fédération mondiale des Eleveurs de Merino.

100th Tour de France Press Conference in Sydney

Service de presse — 2013-05-02T01:48:20Z

Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, visiting Australia praised the country's love for cycling and the role Australians played in making the Tour de France into the amazing race that it is today.

On this occasion, French sport brand "Le Coq Sportif" and Le Tour de France's representatives organised a press conference to celebrate the 100th edition of the race and present the 2013 Yellow Jersey.


H.E. Mr. Stephane Romatet, Ambassador of France in Australia, Mr. Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, Mr. Denis Zanon, Director of the Nice Tourism Office, and Mr. Hilton Seskin, CEO of Le Coq Sportif Oceania (©AtoutFrance).

The Ambassador of France, H.E. Mr Stephane Romatet, gave a speech on the global reach of the Tour de France and the image it conveys of France to the rest of the world. He also evoked the impact and growing popularity for the Tour de France in Australia.

In addition of Mr Christian Prudhomme and H.E. Mr Stephane Romatet, two other speakers were present at the conference, Mr Denis Zanon, Director of Nice Tourism Office, and Mr Hilton Seskin, CEO of Le Coq Sportif Oceania.

France: candidate to the Human Rights Council

Service de presse — 2013-05-01T02:31:32Z

Human rights are among the founding values of the French Republic and lie at the heart of its foreign policy. France is presenting its candidacy to the Human Rights Council with a view to promoting the highest standards of human rights protection. France undertakes to…

Ensure the promotion and protection of all human rights and to play a key role in combating all forms of discrimination.
Support the gradual realization of the right to education, health, food and water and sanitation, and to promote the Guiding Principles on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights.
Strengthen international mobilization for respect of women's rights and the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women, and ensure the effective implementation of the resolutions on “Women, Peace and Security”.
Pursue its commitment to the rights of the child and to combat the use of children in armed conflict.
Promote freedom of opinion and expression and support action by human rights defenders and civil society, particularly as part of peaceful demonstrations.
Encourage States to combat arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearance, and continue to work towards the universal ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Step up the fight against impunity and promote the right to truth and justice, particularly by supporting international criminal justice.
Promote the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and support their implementation.
Maintain an active and constructive participation in all bodies and mechanisms for promoting and protecting human rights, including special procedures, treaty bodies, and mechanisms for monitoring and investigating human rights violations worldwide.

France candidate to the Human Rights Council 2014-2016

Leading Australian artist unveils large scale rooftop installation for major museum in Paris

presse2 — 2013-04-29T07:01:27Z

The critically acclaimed musée du quai Branly in Paris will soon be home to a dynamic new installation by leading Aboriginal Australian artist Lena Nyadbi. At a special ceremony in Canberra today, Australia will celebrate a major new commission specifically designed for the Paris museum's rooftop. At almost 700 square metres, the large scale art installation has been designed to be viewed from the Eiffel Tower and by Google Earth users, making it one of the largest artworks made by an Australian artist and an important new addition to the world renowned museum dedicated to the arts and cultures of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas.

- Arts / a_la_une, scac, culture

Visit to Australia by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), 8-12 April 2013

presse2 — 2013-04-26T01:28:00Z

A delegation from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (Centre national de la recherche scientifique - CNRS), represented by Dr Minh-Hà Pham-Delègue, Director for European and International Cooperation, Dr Chantal Khan-Malek, Deputy Director of Asia-Oceania and Dr Jean-François Marini, Head of Mission in Oceania, took part in a study tour to Perth, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney from 8 - 12 April 2013.

The CNRS has been collaborating with Australian universities, agencies and research organisations for several decades with regard to projects coordinated by researchers, notably in the fields of health, environment, engineering, earth sciences, social sciences, information technology and physics. This visit to Australia was in response to a decision made by the CNRS Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alain Fuchs, to afford more attention and focus upon Australia, a country undergoing strong international progression in the science and technology sectors.

The objectives of the CNRS and this initial visit to Australia were as follows:
present its research priorities and international collaborative tools;
review past and present research collaborations between Australia and France;
identify fields of synergy and key future partners within Australia.

The comprehensive program was arranged by the Embassy of France in Australia in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The delegation met with key decision makers and researchers from eight Australian universities, including six Group of Eight universities.

Initial conclusions

Three key areas of collaboration have emerged:

1. Institutional links
the CNRS will host institutional delegations to France;
the signature of letters of intent between institutions, in support of “individual” collaborations (researcher to researcher);
the creation of a cooperation agreement to develop French-Australian projects associated with Asian partners.

2. Research collaboration projects
definition and creation of new research excellence collaborations, particularly in response to societal and global challenges;
organisation of bilateral conferences and workshops ;
participation by Australian universities and institutions in European funding programs alongside the CNRS.

3. Scientific mobility
facilitate and develop the provision of researcher and student mobility;
prioritise the reception of post-doctoral researchers.

Row 1 (from right to left): Ms Anne Baly, Head of Division, International Education and Science, Australian Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education; Dr Minh-Hà Pham-Delègue, Director of European Research and International Cooperation, CNRS and Ms Majella Christensen, Assistant of the Science and Technology Attaché, Embassy of France.

Row 2: Dr Rob Porteous, Head of Division, Science and Research, Australian Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education; Dr Chantal Khan-Malek, Deputy Director, Asia-Oceania, CNRS and Ms Marie-Hélène Wehr, Attaché for Science and Technology, Embassy of France.

Row 3: Dr Jean-François Marini, Head of Mission in Oceania, CNRS and Mr Cameron Slatyer, Manager Europe and Americas Section, Australian Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.

ANZAC Day celebrations at the French Embassy in 2013

presse2 — 2013-04-25T07:27:00Z

The ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day commemorations, this year marking the 98^th anniversary of the Gallipoli battle in which more than 10,000 Australian and New Zealand soldiers lost their lives during the WWI, paid tribute to all Australian soldiers in all conflicts.

Following the commemorations, held around Australia from dawn, the Embassy of France in Canberra paid tribute before its own memorial monument to the Diggers by the placing of wreaths and the singing of the national anthems.

H.E. Mr. Stéphane Romatet, Ambassador of France, making his speech in front of the French-Australian War Memorial at the Embassy of France (©Presse/C. Dupré)

The statement below was made by the Ambassador of France, H.E. Mr. Stéphane Romatet, at this occasion:

Once again, we gather, united in memory. We were together this morning at the Australian War Memorial. And we are together this afternoon in front of the French-Australian Remembrance Monument. Time passes but the memory remains, alive, intact and moving.

Exactly one hundred years ago, our grandparents and great-grandparents built the future of their families with hope. Here in Canberra, the young Australian nation was laying the first stones of its new capital. In Europe, in April 1913, a peace treaty between the major powers ended the war in the Balkans.

Who could have, then, imagined this fatal chain of events that, from the summer of 1914, would lead to the bloodiest war in history?

Who would have thought that the youth of Australia, then a young and fledgling nation, would come to die on the shores of Gallipoli and in the trenches of Fromelles and Villiers-Bretonneux?

It will soon be a century since the reminder of these sacrifices has haunted our memories. Our responsibility and duty is to keep this memory alive. Firstly, in tribute to the fathers of our fathers and great-uncles who did not return from the battlefields of Europe. Secondly, out of respect for the soldiers of our armies pursuing the peacekeeping of our ancestors and who, unfortunately, continue to pay the price of blood.

Today I think intently of my grandfather, an artillery officer and later air force officer who fought continuously from 1914 to 1918. I also, this afternoon, think of an Australian gentleman I met in Perth who urged me to help recover the memory of his father, made prisoner and executed on the western front.

I remember the recent visit to Canberra by the Pozieres City Council, a city engraved on this monument, who came to commune at the War Memorial and who has not forgotten, even after nearly 100 years, what it still owes Australia and her soldiers.

I thank you, General Hurley, for your attendance today and remember the 39 Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

I also thank you, General Parlanti, for having especially come from New-Caledonia; today we have a special thought for the French soldiers recently killed in operations in Mali.

It is this chain of memory that we continue today before the French-Australian Remembrance Monument.

Together, we remember, we commune. And to the dead soldiers of past and present who haunt our minds, we say to them: lest we forget.

Brigadier General Jean-François Parlanti, Commanding the Armed Forces in New Caledonia, H.E. Mr. Stéphane Romatet, Ambassador of France to Australie and General David Hurley, Chief of the Australian Defence Force Defence (©Presse/C. Dupré).

Last updated: 25/04/2013