Today's Date:

The G8 Summit is a major event in the international calendar, when the Heads of State and Government of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Russian Federation, with the European Union, meet informally to discuss the issues relating to globalisation, and to devise responses commensurate with the responsibilities that flow from their place in the world economy.

This year France proposes to focus on four major themes, namely:

• solidarity, with particular emphasis on the Partnership for Africa's development, and access to water for all,
• the spirit of responsibility that not only Governments, but all economic actors, especially business corporations, need to display in the financial, social, environmental and ethical spheres,
• security, in order to strengthen the fight against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and,
• democracy, through ongoing dialogue with civil society and with other States.

I take this opportunity to thank the Swiss authorities for their cooperation, and the people of Evian and the surrounding region for their welcome. Thanks to them, the G8 will be meeting in a region with a long tradition of international dialogue and renowned for the quality of its hospitality.

Jacques Chirac
President of the Republic

American journalists wishing to cover the upcoming G8 Summit must have a professional journalist visa.

To obtain such a visa, the following must be presented to the local Consulate:

- A U.S. passport which must remain valid for at least three months after the bearer’s date of departure from France

- An application form (which may be downloaded from the Consulate-General’s Web site or filled out directly at the visa office).

- A photograph

- A letter from a press outlet specifying that the journalist is working for that organization and that he must go to France (specify dates) to cover the G8 Summit.

- Fees ($27.47 for a stay of less than 30 days).

• Information for media representatives
• G8 Summit website