U.S. Consulate General Marseille

Marseille

U.S. Consulate General

Overview

The Consulate General is headed by a Consul General who is responsible for all operations in Marseille.

The Consul General is assisted by a deputy, who runs consular and administrative services on day-to-day basis. The Consulate General and the Consular Agency together represent two United States Government agencies: the Department of State and the Navy’s Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). The U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet liaison officer with the French Mediterranean Navy, and his staff assistant in nearby Toulon (where the French navy’s Mediterranean fleet is anchored) work closely with the Consulate General.

Mission

The Consulate General has five main areas of responsibility:

Assisting American citizens via the provision of Consular Services.
Promoting U.S. businesses and greater trade between the U.S. and the south of France and Monaco.
Articulating and advancing official United States Government positions and American values.
Supporting the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet in connection with ship visits to Mediterranean ports in France and Monaco.
Conducting diplomatic relations with the Principality of Monaco.

Description of Each Area of Responsibility:

U.S. Citizen Services Promoting business and trade Advancing U.S. Government positions & American values Supporting the U.S. Navy

U.S. Citizen Services

Some 26,000 Americans are believed to live in the consular district. There are also more than 1,000,000 visitors each year to the south of France. Robberies targeting tourists are frequent and during the period May – August 2007, Marseille issued more than 700 passports, over 200 of which were to persons who had been robbed along the Riviera. Persons needing immediate services may visit the consulate. Marseille also handles regular prison visits, child custody cases and helps Americans to work with French authorities. In addition it works with the families in the U.S. of Americans who die in the district, to repatriate bodily remains and dispose of property.

Promoting business and trade

The south of France is of great interest to U.S. manufacturers and investors. As France’s “sunbelt” it has already attracted a large concentration of U.S. firms in France, especially in high-tech fields. The U.S. Commercial Service and the Consul General constantly explore new opportunities for American firms and support the Mediterranean American Business Network, which promotes dialogue and networking amongst U.S. business in the region.

Advancing U.S. Government positions & American values

The Consul General and deputy Consul General make frequent speaking appearances throughout the consular district to influence public opinion on issues of interest to the American Government and to push for greater understanding of American values. Forums include civic organizations, university gatherings, talk shows on radio and television, schools, ceremonies commemorating the two World Wars, and other kinds of official events. They also work with the Embassy in Paris to bring expert speakers to the consular district from the embassy or other entities.

Supporting the U.S. Navy

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) has an office in Marseille which is staffed by one special agent. This office handles security arrangements for all U.S. Navy ship visits to France and for all of French-speaking Africa. The Consulate General also handles protocol and morale aspects of ship visits, including liaison with officials.

OUR CONSUL

Jessica Huaracayo

Jessica Huaracayo is the Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Marseille, France.

Complete Biography

Consular District

The Marseille Consular District includes four French regions (Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence-Alps-Côte d’Azur –“ PACA”, Midi Pyrenees, and Corsica) which together make up 18 departments and the principality of Monaco, with a total population of more than 8 million people, some of 16% of France’s total population.

The territory covered by the consular district constitutes one of France’s most dynamic areas and is often dubbed the “French sun belt” because of its pleasant climate. Economic activity and population are increasing on a yearly basis as many new companies, both French and foreign (including many U.S. businesses) seek to locate there. Major cities are Marseille, Toulouse, Nice, Montpellier, Cannes, Aix-en-Provence, Toulon, Avignon, Perpignan, Ajaccio, Bastia and Monte Carlo. Principal economic activities are agro-industry, information technology, bio-technology, aviation, maritime transportation, petrochemicals, and tourism.