Political relations

The 14th session of the Franco-Russian Intergovernmental Seminar is taking place in Rambouillet on 27 November. As in previous years, this seminar, a major event in Franco-Russian relations, will bring together the two prime ministers and members of both governments.

The French delegation is led by François Fillon and include in particular Jean-Louis Borloo, Ministre d’Etat, Minister for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Marine Affairs, responsible for Green Technology and Climate Negotiations, Christine Lagarde, Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment, Valérie Pécresse, Minister for Higher Education and Research, Eric Besson, Minister of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Mutually-Supportive Development, Christian Estrosi, Minister responsible for Industry and Pierre Lellouche, Minister of State responsible for European Affairs.

On the eve of the launch of the Année croisée France-Russie 2010 (France-Russia Cultural Exchange Programme) - which will be a high point in our two countries’ relations - this 14th seminar will be especially important. Besides the Année croisée’s organization and programme, discussions will focus mainly on the major bilateral economic dossiers, the energy-climate issue and the movement of people.

We expect Russia to confirm the commitments she undertook in Stockholm, especially with respect to her desire for rapid accession to the World Trade Organization, reduction of her greenhouse gas emissions and facilitating an agreement in Copenhagen.

The Franco-Russian Intergovernmental Seminar will also be the opportunity to sign several government agreements, including an agreement on labour migration, a declaration on business executive training, an agreement between the Autorité des marchés financiers (French financial markets regulator) and Russia’s Federal Financial Markets Service, an agreement on protecting appellations d’origine contrôlée [registered designations of origin] in the agricultural sphere and a memorandum of cooperation on innovation between the Lorraine regional council and Tomsk region.

Several contracts, particularly in the fields of energy and climate, innovation, the pharmaceuticals industry, transport and the automotive industry, will contribute to diversification of our trade and implementation of our common objectives for energy efficiency.