European Union – Mr. Harlem Désir’s participation in the General Affairs Council (Luxembourg, October 21, 2014)
Iraq - Appointment of new ministers (October 18, 2014)
Iraq – Attack on a Shiite mosque (October 19, 2014)
Egypt – Attacks in the Sinai (October 19, 2014)
European Union – Mr. Harlem Désir’s participation in the General Affairs Council (Luxembourg, October 21, 2014)
Mr. Harlem Désir, Minister of State for European Affairs, will tomorrow participate in the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg. The agenda will cover the following items:
- preparations for the European Council on October 23 and 24, which will notably be devoted to climate and economic issues and the fight against Ebola;
- migration issues, a year after the tragedies that took place in October 2013 in Lampedusa in order to ensure that the European response to this issue will be commensurate with the challenges;
- the problem of foreign fighters, a growing threat in the EU;
- the new distribution of seats in the Committee of the Regions following Croatia’s accession. France will mark its attachment to taking demographic criteria into account with respect to the EU’s institutional balance;
- the dialogue between the Council and the Commission on improving the EU’s legislative planning, in order to ensure the implementation of the strategic agenda agreed upon by the European Council in June.
Iraq - Appointment of new ministers (October 18, 2014)
France congratulates the Iraqi prime minister on the appointment of the ministers of defense and interior, thereby completing the government that was formed on September 8, and on the swearing in of the Kurdish ministers. When he spoke to the press yesterday in Beijing, Mr. Laurent Fabius welcomed the formation of this inclusive government, which will guarantee unity and effectiveness in Iraq’s fight against Daesh.
The conditions are now right for the government to start working toward resolving, in a spirit of unity, the numerous challenges facing the country. The fight against Daesh requires resolute action with respect to security. In order to build trust, gestures must be made toward the various components of Iraqi society.
In these difficult circumstances, France continues to stand alongside Iraq.
Iraq – Attack on a Shiite mosque (October 19, 2014)
France condemns the attacks perpetrated in Baghdad over the last few days, notably the attack targeted against a Shiite mosque yesterday which killed at least 18 people.
It extends its condolences to the victims’ families and reaffirms its support for the Iraqi state in its fight against terrorism.
Egypt – Attacks in the Sinai (October 19, 2014)
France condemns the terrorist attack that killed seven soldiers in the Sinai yesterday.
We extend our condolences to the victims’ families.
France stands alongside the Egyptian people and government in their fight against terrorism.