France has appointed a new State Secretary in charge of Overseas Territories.
Marie-Luce Penchard replaces Yves Jego in the portfolio.
Since late 2007 Mrs Penchard has been a technical advisor at the French Presidency, and at the same time, she has been in charge of French overseas matters within the ruling UMP party.
Mrs Penchard is from Guadeloupe and becomes the first person from the French overseas territories to hold a national ministerial portfolio directly related to these affairs.
