Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (Paris, February 14, 2014)

Meeting between Mr. Laurent Fabius and his Palestinian counterpart (Paris, February 14, 2014)
Visit by Mr. Laurent Fabius to China (February 20 to 24, 2014)
Syria – Bombing in Aleppo
Somalia – Attack near Mogadishu International Airport (February 13, 2014)

Meeting between Mr. Laurent Fabius and his Palestinian counterpart (Paris, February 14, 2014)

Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met this morning with his Palestinian counterpart, Riyad al-Malki.

The minister of foreign affairs reaffirmed France’s support for the efforts to relaunch the peace process. He paid tribute to President Abbas’s determination to remain fully engaged in the negotiations and reaffirmed our constant position on settlement activity, which is illegal under international law. He also underscored that the EU had announced an offer to establish an unprecedented privileged partnership with the two parties in the event that a peace agreement is reached.

Mr. Laurent Fabius signaled France’s willingness to organize another donors’ conference for the Palestinian state in Paris.

 

Visit by Mr. Laurent Fabius to China (February 20 to 24, 2014)

Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will visit China from February 20 to 24.

He will discuss key international issues with his Chinese counterpart, Mr. Wang Yi, with whom he met in October 2013 in Paris and in January in Geneva.

This visit, which falls within the context of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, will also be aimed at preparing for the Chinese president’s state visit to France.

Within the framework of our economic diplomacy, Mr. Laurent Fabius, will review, together with French and Chinese stakeholders, progress on major ongoing projects. In Tianjin, he will notably visit Airbus’s production line. He will deliver a speech at Nankai University and will exchange views with students.

 

Syria – Bombing in Aleppo

The continued and intensified bombing carried out by the regime over the last few weeks in many cities in the country, particularly in Aleppo, have left several thousand civilians dead. These attacks represent real acts of terror and constitute war crimes.

In the face of the suffering of the Syrian people, the UN Security Council must swiftly adopt a resolution on the humanitarian situation that will make the Damascus regime face up to its responsibilities.

Together with our partners, we are working resolutely to achieve this.

 

Somalia – Attack near Mogadishu International Airport (February 13, 2014)

France condemns the attack perpetrated yesterday against a UN convoy in Mogadishu, near the international airport, which has reportedly left at least 6 people dead.  

It extends its condolences to the victims’ families and to the Somali Federal Government. We express our solidarity with the UN personnel who are working to rebuild the country.

Together with its partners, France stands alongside the Somali Federal Government in its fight against terrorism.