Tag: Paris

Prime Minister to attend French Armistice Day

Keir Starmer set to be the first UK leader to attend French Armistice Day since Second World War

  • The Prime Minister will attend 106th anniversary of the Armistice of 1918 in Paris today [Monday 11th November]
  • First UK leader to attend the ceremony since Winston Churchill in 1944
  • Comes as he announces more than £10 million to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day next year

The Prime Minister will mark Armistice Day in Paris today – the first British leader to do so since the Second World War.

At the personal invitation of President Macron, the Prime Minister will join French and British veterans, and the public, to pay tribute to the fallen of the First World War and veterans of subsequent conflicts.

The Prime Minister is believed to be the first UK leader to attend the commemorations since Winston Churchill, who was hosted by General de Gaulle in 1944.

It comes as the Prime Minister announces more than £10 million to mark the 80th anniversaries of the Allied Victory in Europe and the end of the Second World War in the Far East.

Their legacy will be remembered at events across the UK next year with 8th May, marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe, and 15th August marking the end of the Second World War in Japan.

The national commemorative events will pay tribute to the tens of thousands of service personnel from across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War on all fronts.

The Prime Minister’s attendance at this morning’s commemorations of the 106th anniversary of the Armistice of 1918 symbolises the close and enduring friendship between the UK and France.

Alongside President Macron, the Prime Minister is expected to lay a wreath at war memorials close to the Champs-Élysées and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe, a national symbol in France for all those who died in the First World War.

The ceremony, which will include the British Band of the Rifles, comes at the end of a year which marks the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, and the 80th anniversary of the start of the liberation of France.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “I am honoured to be in Paris to stand united with President Macron in tribute to the fallen of the First World War who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today.

“These events are vital in ensuring the memory of millions of young soldiers, sailors and aviators live on for generations to come.

“That is why this Government will bring the nation together in a moment of national reflection to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day next year, delivering on our commitment to strengthen community spirit and cohesion and remember the fallen.”

Ahead of the ceremony, the Prime Minister will host veterans, defence charities and British military embedded in the French system at the Ambassador’s Residence to thank them for their service.

He will hear firsthand how, under the Lancaster House Treaties, British and French military personnel are building close friendships and deepening interoperability both for today and in the future.

The Prime Minister is also expected to meet President Macron ahead of the commemorations for a bilateral. The leaders will reflect on the close bonds between the two countries, many forged and cemented by the sacrifice of British and French soldiers on the frontline in the first and second World Wars. 

The leaders are expected to go on to discuss key foreign policy issues, including Russia’s ongoing barbaric invasion of Ukraine and the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza.

He is also expected to meet the new French Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The short meeting ahead of the ceremony will be the first between the two Prime Ministers since Mr Barnier became the Prime Minister of France.

Preparations for next year’s UK commemoration events have already begun, with the government working closely with the Royal British Legion and veterans’ representatives, on a programme of activity that will be designed to bring the nation together in a moment of national reflection, strengthen community spirit and cohesion, and support growth.

Cameron calls for increased European coordination on humanitarian crises

  • David Cameron will travel to Paris and Rome for talks with French President Macron, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, and foreign minister counterparts 
  • He will call for increased coordination between allies to address the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as maintaining support for Ukraine 
  • Discussions will also focus on working together to tackle illegal migration 

At a time of volatile international crises, Foreign Secretary David Cameron will visit the French and Italian capitals today (19 December) to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as well as maintaining support for Ukraine over the winter period.  

During the visit, the Foreign Secretary will reiterate his call for a sustainable ceasefire, leading to a sustainable peace, and for increased coordination across European allies to ensure life-saving aid can get into Gaza to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. The Foreign Secretary will also urge continued support for Ukraine to defend itself through military, humanitarian and economic means.  

Tackling illegal migration is also high on the agenda, with the UK working alongside France and Italy to stop the criminal gangs. This follows the UK signing landmark deals with the two countries that have seen small boat channel crossings drop by a third. 

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: “As we face some of the greatest challenges to international security in a lifetime, our response must be one of strength and resilience with our European allies. 

“From the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza, to Putin’s brutality in Ukraine, it is more important than ever to strengthen our alliances and make sure our voice is heard.”

In Paris, the Foreign Secretary will meet French President Emmanuel Macron, and Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna to discuss maintaining support for Ukraine and finding a long-term political solution that supports Israel’s security and the rights of Palestinians to live in peace. They will also discuss how the UK and France can continue to coordinate their humanitarian responses in Gaza. 

The visit will also look ahead to a milestone year for UK-France relations in 2024, which will mark 120 years since the signing of the Entente Cordiale and 80 years since the D-Day landings, two watershed moments for the two countries. 

Following the Prime Minister’s visit over the weekend, the Foreign Secretary will then travel to Rome for talks with the Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and to address Italian ambassadors gathered at the Italian foreign ministry for their annual Heads of Mission conference.  

The Foreign Secretary will also meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s meeting with PM Meloni this weekend. Top of the agenda for the Rome programme will be boosting the two countries’ close cooperation on illegal migration. 

They will welcome a new agreement between the two countries to contribute £4 million to the International Organization for Migration’s assisted voluntary returns project in Tunisia.

The joint funding will go towards providing humanitarian assistance and support for vulnerable and stranded migrants to return home safely.

Auld Alliance: now Nicola’s off to Paris

Trade links highlighted during Paris visit  

Steps to increase trade with Scotland’s third largest export market will be progressed by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a two-day visit to France this week.

The First Minister will a lead a delegation of technology companies who will showcase their products and services to French partners, academics and customers in Paris.

Latest figures show France is Scotland’s third largest international export market worth an estimated £2.4 billion to the Scottish economy.

During the visit the First Minister will address the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Assemblée Nationale, the lower house of the French Parliament on Tuesday, meet Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau and officially open the Scottish Government’s France Hub.

The First Minister said: “The relationship between Scotland and France is one of the oldest in the world.

“France is our third largest export market and French-based firms play a key part in our economy, with investments in financial services and our food and drink industry.

“By promoting trade and investment, and officially launching our new hub in Paris, the Scottish Government is working to show Scotland is open for business and an attractive place to invest, visit, work and live.

“Despite the challenges we face as a result of Brexit the Scottish Government will continue to do all we can to show the world that we are an open and outward looking country.”

 

Lights, camera … Granton!

Granton Primary School film premieres in Paris

Granton Primary School teacher Avril Whelan runs an after school Film Club with P6’s and P7’s. The children have made four films – one of which premiered in Paris last month! In the week before the holidays the children staged a French themed event to present their fabulous films to their parents.  Continue reading Lights, camera … Granton!

“France grieves. But she does not grieve alone”

“The terrorists seek to divide us, and to destroy our way of life. But theirs is an empty, perverted and murderous ideology. They represent no one. And they will fail.” – Home Secretary Thesesa May

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The Home Secretary made this statement on the Paris terrorists attacks to the House of Commons yesterday:  Continue reading “France grieves. But she does not grieve alone”

Scotland stands in solidarity

“I urge people not to let these terrorists win by dividing us and driving a wedge between the multi-cultural society Scotland is home to.” – First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon observed yesterday’s minute silence at the Glasgow Central Mosque as Scotland fell silent to remember those who died in the Paris terrorist attacks.  Continue reading Scotland stands in solidarity

Dozens die in Paris attacks

State of Emergency declared following multiple attacks in French capital

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More than 120 people have died and hundreds more injured following a series of bomb and gun attacks across Paris last night. The dead toll is expected to rise today as the enormity of the outrage becomes clearer.

Four restaurants, a concert venue and the Stade de France national football stadium all came under attack in an evening of horror. So far, no group has claimed responsibility but there is strong eyewitness evidence to suggest that Islamic extremists were responsible for the atrocities.

The deadliest attack took place at the Bataclan concert venue when gunmen opened fire during a gig by rock group Eagles of Death Metal – the 1,500-seat venue was sold out. It’s believed that up to eighty people died in a shootout as security forces acted to end a hostage situation.

President Hollande was attending the friendly match between France and Germany at the Stade de France stadium, which was being broadcast on TF1, one of the country’s main TV channels. The game was abandoned when two explosions were heard – at least one of which is now known to have been a suicide bomber.

Police say all eight gunmen involved in the Paris attacks are now dead but the country’s security forces remains on full alert. Four were killed in the Bataclan concert hall, three by activating suicide vests and one shot by police. Three more died near the national stadium and a fourth was killed in a Paris street.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “I am shocked by events in Paris tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help.”

President Obama called the attacks in Paris an “outrageous attempt to terrorise innocent civilians” and an “attack on all of humanity”.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was “deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us from Paris”.