Born on 14 November 1953 in Rabat, Morocco; three children

 

Education

Bachelor of Arts, University of Paris X Nanterre

Bachelor of Law, University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas

Postgraduate Studies, Paris Institute of Political Studies

Postgraduate Studies, National School of Administration

 

Career in Civil Service

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1980-1981    Secretary of Foreign Affairs at Department for African Affairs

1981-1984      Head of Mission Attached to Director of Department for African Affairs and Analysis and Forecasting Centre

1984-1987    First Secretary at Embassy of France in Washington

1987-1989    Press Officer and Spokesperson at Embassy of France in Washington

1989-1990    Second Counsellor at Embassy of France in New Delhi

1990-1992    First Counsellor at Embassy of France in New Delhi

1992-1993    Deputy Head of African Affairs at Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1993-1995    Chief of Staff to Minister of Foreign Affairs

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1995-2002    Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic

1996-1999    Chairman of the Board of the National Forest Office

 

Career in Politics

2002-2004    Minister of Foreign Affairs of France

He notably opposed the unilateral military intervention by the United States in Iraq in a renowned speech delivered at the United Nation Headquarters in New York. He contributed to the first agreement on nuclear non-proliferation with Iran and was closely involved in finding solutions to political crises in Africa, particularly Ivory Coast.

2002             Representative to the Convention on the Future of Europe

2004-2005    Minister of the Interior, Internal Security and Local Rights

He focused on countering terrorism by proposing new laws and mechanisms, as well as on promoting peaceful coexistence of religions in the French Republic.

2005-2007    Prime Minister of France

He tackled the central issue of unemployment and public debt. His government was the only one in the last forty years to be able to simultaneously curb unemployment, debt and deficits while achieving economic growth.

 

Publications and Academic Activities

Author of numerous books, he publishes extensively on subjects such as history, politics, international relation, painting and poetry. His publications have received various prizes and were translated in several languages.

 

In writing and at conferences, he regularly addresses issues such as Western military intervention in Africa and the Middle East, financial stability and reform, as well as the importance of international cooperation projects e.g. the New Silk Road and the Eurafrican partnership.

 

Selected Bibliography

2001      Les Cent-Jours ou l’esprit de sacrifice

(translated title: The Hundred Days or the Spirit of Sacrifice)

2002      Le cri de la gargouille

(translated title: Cry of the Gargoyle)

2003      Éloge des voleurs de feu

(translated title: Eulogy of the Thieves of Fire)

2003      Un autre monde

(translated title: Another World)

2004      Le requin et la mouette

(translated title: The Shark and the Seagull)

2005      L’homme européen

(translated title: The European)

2005      L’histoire de la diplomatie française

(translated title: The History of French Diplomacy)

2007      Le soleil noir de la puissance

(translated title: The Mighty Black Sun)

2008      Hôtel de l’insomnie

(translated title: Hotel of Insomnia)

2008      La chute ou l'empire de la solitude

(translated title: The Fall of the Empire of Solitude)

2009      La cité des hommes

(translated title: City of Mankind)

2009      Le dernier témoin

(translated title: The Last Witness)

2009      Zao Wou-Ki: dans le labyrinthe des lueurs

(translated title: Zao Wou-Ki: in the Labyrinth of Light)

2010      De l’esprit de cour: la malédiction française

(translated title: On the Spirit of the Court: the French Curse)

2011      Notre vieux pays

(translated title: Our Ancient Country)

2012      Seul le devoir nous rendra libres

(translated title: Only Duty Will Set Us Free)

2015      Zao Wou-Ki et les poètes: la lumière et le souffle

(translated title: Zao Wou-Ki and the Poets: the Light and the Wind)

 

Particularly active in arts and culture, he serves as a board member at several museums in Europe and the Middle East.

 

He has received numerous awards in France and abroad, one of which is the Doctor honoris causa by the University of Liège. A regular speaker at forums and conferences at major universities around the world, in particular in China, he is committed to Sino-European relations, which has become one of his main areas of work.

 

He is currently serving as a board member at several international advisory institutions:

• Global Chairman of the Asia-Pacific CEOs, Governors and Mayors Association
• International Advisory Council of Universal Credit Rating Group
• Global Advisory Council of China Minsheng Investment Corporation
• International Advisory Board of Derasat – Bahrain Center for Strategic Studies

 

Career in Private Sector

In 2008, he founded law and consultancy firm Villepin International in Paris. His firm advises corporates, governmental and non-governmental institutions on operation and strategy, with a particular focus on China.