Sudan
Iraq / Attacks
First anniversary of the Union for the Mediterranean
Middle East
Sudan
France strongly condemns yesterday’s whipping of 10 Sudanese women.
We are particularly concerned by the information that several others may be condemned to similar punishments.
France, which is fighting for the abolition of cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment and is combating violence against women, demands that the Sudanese authorities break off its prosecution of these people.
France calls on Sudan to ratify the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Punishment or Treatment, which it signed in 1986.
France also invites Sudan to sign and ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
France utterly condemns yesterday’s attacks on churches in Baghdad, which resulted in at least four casualties.
France expresses its condolences to the bereaved, hails the courage of the Iraqi people and government, and supports its efforts to pursue national reconciliation, which these attacks are attempting to undermine.
We also condemn yesterday’s attempt against the U.S. ambassador to Iraq.
First anniversary of the Union for the Mediterranean
A year ago, the heads of state and government of 43 countries, gathered at a Paris summit on July 13 at the invitation of the President of the Republic and the President of Egypt, decided to implement a strengthened partnership focused on the Mediterranean.
Six concrete priorities were defined:
-Cleaning up pollution in the Mediterranean
-Maritime and overland highways
-Solar energy development
-Teaching and research
-Civil protection
-The development of small and medium-sized businesses.
The foreign ministers’ meeting in Marseille co-chaired by France and Egypt on November 3 and 4, 2008, established a working program at the technical and ministerial levels in these areas.
Due to the Gaza crisis, the Union meetings scheduled for the period between January and April were postponed. Work was subsequently resumed, first by high officials then by the ministers. In particular, two important meetings marked positive advances in keeping with the priorities defined by the Paris Declaration of July 13:
On June 25, France and Egypt co-chaired the Union’s first ministerial meeting on sustainable development projects. This meeting dealt with four major challenges that are crucial to the environment: water, transport, energy and urban development. All of the Union’s member countries were represented at the meeting.
On July 7, a meeting of the Union’s finance ministers was held on the sidelines of ECOFIN. The financial crisis was discussed and there was a debate moderated by the Swedish presidency.
This renewed dynamic testifies to our partners’ dedication to the Union to the Mediterranean project, which is also a priority for the EU.
A year after it was launched, the Union for the Mediterranean—despite the obstacles it has encountered—is a meaningful project that should help make the European-Mediterranean space one of peace, stability and prosperity for the people living on both shores of the Mediterranean.
What is your reaction to Solana’s call to the Security Council to impose a settlement and recognize the Palestinian State if the peace process remains deadlocked, and to Israel’s rejection of this call?
France considers a resumption of peace talks between the parties, with the support of the international community, to be urgent.
That is the message that the French authorities are conveying in each of their meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
What is your reaction to the fact that Great Britain imposed a partial embargo on the export of military equipment to Israel? The British took this decision because Israeli naval vessels took part in the raid on Gaza early this year. Does France approve of this kind of pressure and might you consider similar measures to help unblock the Gaza situation?
In France, weapons exports are subject to very strict control by the authorities.
That control is exerted by the interministerial committee that examines exports of military equipment (CIEEMG) and guarantees France’s strict respect of its international commitments and of the provisions of the European code of conduct on weapons exports.
Like the United Kingdom, France examines these requests on a case-by-case basis./.