Introducing France’s New Defence & National Security Policy

11:30, 2 Jul 2008
RUSI, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2ET

Link to map: multimap

About the event:

Introducing France’s New Defence & National Security Policy

Jean-Claude Mallet, Chairman of the French White Paper National Commission

France’s new National Security and Defence White Paper sets out the governing principles for a streamlined transformation of French armed forces and national security agencies. Reappraising France’s security environment, the document makes strong commitments in pursuit of improved capabilities, yet announces challenging reforms ahead for the military and security forces. The Livre Blanc reflects finally some of France’s strategic and operational reorientations since the arrival of President Nicolas Sarkozy, with namely the potential reintegration of France within NATO’s Military Command Structure.

Following the publication last week of the much anticipated National Security and Defence White Paper, Jean-Claude Mallet - Chairman of the Commission Nationale du Livre Blanc - will address the Institute on the priorities and challenges France has identified for the forthcoming years.

Counsellor of State Jean-Claude Mallet is a high level civil servant in the French government. Mr Mallet has been responsible for chairing the working group in charge of drafting the new French White Paper, and has served an extensive and distinguished carrier within the various security and defence departments of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Interior and Defence Ministries. Director in charge of Strategic Affairs at the Ministry of Defence between 1992 and 1998, he served as rapporteur to the Commission in charge of the writing the 1994 White Paper, and Secretary to the Committee overseeing defence reforms in 1995. Secretary General for National Defence between 1998 and 2004, he has been President of the administrative council of the Ecole Normale Supérieure since February 2006.

This event is open to the public, but RUSI members will receive priority in seat allocation.

To register for this event, please email Jennifer Walker or call +44 (0)20 7747 2615.

Event manager: Jennifer Walker, +44 (0)20 7747 2643