Introducing France’s New Defence & National Security Policy

Introducing France’s New Defence & National Security Policy

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

Wednesday 2 July 2008
1130 - 1230

Royal United Services Institute, Whitehall, London

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 and the ambition to develop European Defence.

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.

Member of the Conseil d’Etat 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 Chairman of the Governing Board 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.

www.rusi.org/events