Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (Paris, January 22, 2014)
CAR – Mr. Laurent Fabius’s participation in the inauguration ceremony for Ms. Catherine Samba-Panza (January 23, 2014)
Mr. Laurent Fabius’s participation in the Davos World Economic Forum (January 24, 2014)
Ukraine – Violence
Thailand – Political situation
CAR – Mr. Laurent Fabius’s participation in the inauguration ceremony for Ms. Catherine Samba-Panza (January 23, 2014)
Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will tomorrow travel to Bangui to attend the inauguration of Ms. Catherine Samba-Panza, elected Head of State of the Transition on January 20 by the transitional national council of the Central African Republic.
On this occasion, he will discuss the situation in the Central African Republic with Ms. Samba-Panza, a few days after the international meeting in Brussels that enabled us to mobilize almost $500 million in order to respond to humanitarian needs in the country.
Together with all its international partners, notably the states of the region and the African Union, France stands alongside the transitional authorities of the Central African Republic. It will support their efforts to promote the stability of the Central African Republic, national reconciliation and the holding of free, fair and transparent elections as soon as possible.
Mr. Laurent Fabius’s participation in the Davos World Economic Forum (January 24, 2014)
Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will travel to the Davos World Economic Forum on January 24. He will be accompanied by Mr. Pascal Canfin, Minister Delegate for Development.
Mr. Laurent Fabius will notably participate in the sessions devoted to climate change. He will reaffirm France’s determination to achieve, together with its partners, a universal climate agreement in Paris in December 2015. He will underscore the need for all actors to be involved in the 2015 Climate Conference in Paris, particularly the companies that have a critical role to play in the fight against climate change. He will notably meet with the two Special Envoys of the UN Secretary-General on Climate Change, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg and Mr. John Kufuor, and with Ms. Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action.
The minister will also attend bilateral meetings on economic issues with the leaders of international groups in order to promote, within the framework of economic diplomacy which he has made one of his priorities, the attractiveness of France and the initiatives to restore French competitiveness, including the new responsibility pact.
Ukraine – Violence
France expresses its deep concern over the serious clashes that have been taking place in the Ukrainian capital for several days.
It especially condemns the escalation of violence which led to the death of protesters this morning and left hundreds of others injured. It calls for an immediate end to this violence. Full light must be shed on these acts, the perpetrators of which must be identified and brought to justice.
France calls on all parties to refrain from any use of force. The only way to resolve this crisis is through genuine dialogue between the authorities and the opposition.
Thailand – Political situation
While the Thai authorities have just declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, France is concerned by developments in the political situation in the country.
We condemn the increase in incidents and violence over the last few weeks.
We call on all parties to engage in genuine dialogue in order to work together in a peaceful manner to find a solution to the crisis, in accordance with the democratic institutions.
Our compatriots should note that the fact sheet on Thailand on the “Travel Advisory” website is regularly updated.