"There have long been close, strong ties between diplomacy
and archaeology. As men of the field, diplomats and
archaeologists have a shared interest for the understanding of territories,
peoples and their identities.
The historic change underway in Arab countries reinforces the interest
of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in maintaining an instrument
of diplomatic dialogue through missions financed by the Commission
consultative des recherches archéologiques à l’étranger (advisory commission
for archaeological research abroad).
Archaeology thus has a role to play in renewal in post-crisis countries, such
as in Iraq, with the resumption of our archaeological cooperation in Kurdistan,
structured through scientific partnerships between French and Iraqi universities
and conducted by researchers from both countries. Similarly, I am very pleased
with the work of the French archaeological delegation in Afghanistan (DAFA),
of which the research and training programmes involve international teams
and financing. It brings its expertise to the reconstruction of the Afghan Institute
of Archaeology and promotes the knowledge of local
people about their country by putting sites to good use."

Alain Juppé, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs

France and the promotion of archaelogy abroad - (PDF, 1.2 Mo)