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Claude BlanchemaisonAmbassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Russia from 2000 to 2003
Date of Birth: 06.03.1944
Country:  France |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Born in Paris, France, Jean-Pierre Lafon received a diploma from the Sciences Po (Institute of Political Studies) in 1968, specializing in Public Service. He subsequently graduated from the École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (1973) and the École Nationale d'Administration (ENA) (1973), where he earned a degree named after François Rabelais.
Diplomatic Career
In 1973, Lafon joined the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Over the next decade, he held various positions within the Ministry's central administration, including in the Department of Economics and Finance.
From 1978 to 1982, he served as Second and First Secretary at the French Permanent Representation to the European Communities in Brussels. In 1982, he joined the office of the French Prime Minister as Deputy Secretary of the Interministerial Committee for European Economic Cooperation.
After a brief stint as First Secretary at the French Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa (1985-1986), Lafon returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he served as Deputy Director of the Far East Division in the Department of Asia and Oceania from 1987 to 1989.
Ambassadorial Posts
In 1989, Lafon was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Vietnam. He later became Director of the Department of Europe (1993) and Director of the Department of Asia and Oceania (1993-1996) within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From 1996 to 2000, Lafon served as French Ambassador to India. In 2000, he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Russia, a post he held until 2003.
Following his time in Moscow, Lafon returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Director General for International Cooperation and Development (2003-2005). He then served as French Ambassador to Spain (2005-2007).
In 2007, Lafon was appointed Diplomatic Advisor to the French Government and Secretary General of France's Presidency of the Council of the European Union. He held these positions until 2008, when his diplomatic career came to an end.
Honors and Distinctions
Lafon has received numerous honors, including the following:- Chevalier of the Legion of Honor (1992)
- Officer of the Order of Merit (2000)
- Knight of the Order of Friendship of the Russian Federation (2003)
