Release of two UNAMID hostages
Copenhagen Summit: Russia’s commitment
Turkey/ Ban on the Democratic Society Party by the constitutional court
Middle East
China
Release of two UNAMID hostages
We welcome the fact that the two hostages working for UNAMID have finally been released after being held for more than 100 days and can return to their families as soon as possible.
The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs is fully mobilized to secure the release of French hostages being held in the region.
We reaffirm France’s support for UNAMID’s actions to protect the civilian population in Darfur.
Copenhagen Summit: Russia’s commitment
We have taken note of the participation of Dmitri Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, in the final segment of the Copenhagen Summit, and of Russia’s proposal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2020 compared to the base year of 1990.
We welcome this objective and commitment by the Russian authorities to fight global warming through improved energy efficiency and increased investment in renewable energy and nuclear energy. France will work with Russia to achieve this objective.
Turkey/ Ban on the Democratic Society Party by the constitutional court
We have taken note of the decision by the Turkish constitutional court to ban the Democratic Society Party. France reaffirms its attachment to pluralism and to the importance of democratic debate within a parliamentary framework. It will carefully monitor the consequences of this decision by the Turkish constitutional court.
France condemns terrorism under any circumstances. It reaffirms the importance of the democratic openness introduced by the government and encourages all of the parties to continue on this path.
What is your reaction to the granting of additional loans to settlements in the West Bank, which is inconsistent with the Israeli moratorium on construction in the settlements?
The Israeli government’s announcement of a moratorium on construction in the West Bank had constituted a step in the right direction.
We are calling for the effective implementation of this moratorium, the only way this gesture might promote the resumption of negotiations.
The President of the World Uighur Congress, Rebiya Kadeer, is asking France to approach China in order to secure the release of her two sons, who are currently in prison, and more generally, the Uighurs arrested for political reasons. Has France been in contact with China concerning this issue?
The issue of prisoners of conscience is addressed with the Chinese authorities on a bilateral basis and within the framework of European-Chinese dialogue on human rights.
The European Union is calling for measures of clemency for the people being held for political reasons. Concerning the issue of Xinjiang, the European Union and France, in a national capacity, have twice voiced their opinions since the events that took place in July.