Thailand – Imposing of martial law (May 20, 2014)
Development assistance – Ms. Annick Girardin’s participation in the Foreign Affairs Council (May 19, 2014)
Cultural network update - Alkantara Festival in Lisbon (May 21 to June 8, 2014)
Madagascar – Resumption of EU cooperation (May 19, 2014)
Thailand – Imposing of martial law (May 20, 2014)
France takes note of the announcement by the Thai army of the imposition of martial law.
We are closely following developments in the situation with respect to human rights and civil liberties, and express our concern following the announcement of restrictions on the freedom of expression.
France renews its appeal for a peaceful solution to the political crisis through dialogue, while respecting the constitution and democratic principles. In the current context, we call for respect for the prerogatives of the interim government, the only legitimate interlocutor, and urge the relevant authorities to establish a timetable for the holding of new parliamentary elections.
Our embassy in Bangkok is mobilized to help our compatriots in the area and is keeping them informed of developments in the situation. Travel advice is being updated in real time and can be found on the France Diplomatie website.
Development assistance – Ms. Annick Girardin’s participation in the Foreign Affairs Council (May 19, 2014)
On May 19, Ms. Annick Girardin, Minister of State for Development and Francophony, participated together with her European counterparts in the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels devoted to development.
She presented France’s vision of the future of development assistance policy (post-2015 agenda) and the role of the private sector. She notably called for the need to emphasize the role of businesses in economic and human development, which goes hand in hand with greater recognition of their social and environmental responsibilities. She also presented the conclusions of the summit held in Paris on May 17 on security in Nigeria.
On the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council, Ms. Girardin reaffirmed our priorities with respect to assistance in the areas of health and the strengthening of health systems at a meeting of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). She also met with her European counterparts and with Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, to encourage the creation of a European fund to support the Central African Republic, in order to ensure continuity between humanitarian assistance and development assistance.
Cultural network update - Alkantara Festival in Lisbon (May 21 to June 8, 2014)
Designed as a showcase for cutting-edge ideas, the Alkantara Festival, a performing arts festival in Lisbon, brings together a wide range of artistic trends from 5 continents. The 13th edition of the festival, welcoming 150 artists from all over the world, will feature, on the city’s largest stages from May 21 to June 8, a high quality artistic program emphasizing French artists.
France’s contribution reflects the richness and diversity of the new generation of French artists. This year, the festival, which will be inaugurated by a pre-festival performance of Anne-Teresa de Keersmaerker and Boris Charmatz’s “Partita 2,” will notably include Joris Lacoste’s “Suite n°1 ABC Encyclopédie de la parole” and Halory Goerger’s “Bonjour Concert." The festival will close with Sylvain Creuzenvault’s “Le Capital.”
This 13th edition of the festival, which is supported by the Institut Français du Portugal and the Embassy of France, will also welcome cultural programming professionals, including from the European cooperation travelling workshop program, which will enable 15 French promoters to discover the most emblematic contemporary Portuguese artists from among the new generation.
The entire program can be found online here: www.alkantarafestival.pt
Madagascar – Resumption of EU cooperation (May 19, 2014)
France welcomes the decision, taken yesterday by the EU Foreign Affairs Council, to fully resume cooperation with Madagascar.
This decision, made possible by Madagascar’s return to stability after 5 years of political and institutional crisis, should help restore prosperity and development.
It also confirms Madagascar’s complete return to the international community, following its reintegration into the African regional organizations and the international financial institutions.