France's action

France is determined to combat terrorism in all its forms, regardless of its authors, and works to strengthen international cooperation - diplomatic, legal, police - with its partners, under the auspices of the UN, within the European Union, in the G8, and under other regional cooperation frameworks.

The fight against terrorism is based on several principles:

 Condemning terrorism, in all its forms, regardless of its authors and their motivations;
 At the same time, combating the human, political, and social tragedies that fuel terrorism;
 Highlighting the compatibility of an uncompromising battle against terrorism with respect for human rights and basic freedoms;
 Adopting, except in extraordinary cases, legal and police-style responses;
 Avoiding all simplistic amalgams of terrorism and organized crime, while acknowledging the growing connections (financial in particular) between these two phenomena.

=> In the United Nations, beyond the specific role of the Security Council, which takes up questions concerning terrorism menacing international peace and security, France is working, in the General Assembly, to strengthen international legal standards, which remain incomplete. France supports the proposed General Convention on International Terrorism presented by India and examined by the Special Committee against Terrorism and the 6th Commission’s working group since the fall of 2000.

=> France will spare no effort in strengthening dialogue and cooperation within the European Union, where several concrete projects are underway. France favors coordinating the States of the Union in international fora, in particular in the United Nations. France also contributes to developing dialogue on these themes with major partners (United States, Russia, EU associate countries, Mediterranean countries, and India among others).

=> France believes that the G8 may be useful in providing the impetus in the diplomatic fight against terrorism.

It was under the French presidency in 1996 that the 25 Recommendations from the Paris Terrorism Ministerial were drafted. These recommendations concern improving anti-terrorist cooperation and powers for dissuading, pursuing, and sanctioning terrorists; asylum, boarders, and travel documents; broadening treaties and other international agreements; terrorist financing; improving information exchange. They constitute the reference framework for the political impetus we intend to give to the diplomatic fight against terrorism.

^{Updated on : february 2010}