Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development Spokesperson (Paris, December 2, 2014)

Cuba – Road accident
Cuba – Road accident
Fight against Daesh – Mr. Laurent Fabius’s participation in the ministerial meeting of the international coalition (Brussels, December 3, 2014)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization - Mr. Laurent Fabius’s participation in the meeting of NATO foreign ministers (Brussels, December 2, 2014)
Iraq – Daesh – Deployment by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of a fact-finding mission (November 29, 2014)
Kenya – Attack in Mandera (December 1, 2014)
Cultural network update – France/ United Kingdom – Discovery in Saint-Omer of an original edition of Shakespeare’s works


Cuba – Road accident

I was very shocked to hear last night of the serious traffic accident involving 41 of our compatriots in Cuba.

I am being kept informed of the situation on an hourly basis and I have asked our ambassador in Cuba to remain in continuous contact with our compatriots and the Cuban emergency services, who I would like to thank for their responsiveness. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development Crisis Center stands ready to provide the families with the necessary information and support.

Under these circumstances, my thoughts go to our compatriots and their families, who can count on the support of all government services.


Cuba – Road accident

41 of our compatriots were involved in a serious traffic accident yesterday in Cuba. They were immediately assisted by the Cuban emergency services and were taken to hospital in Cienfuegos.

Mr. Laurent Fabius is being kept informed of the rescue operations. A team from the embassy is in Cienfuegos and is in continuous contact with our compatriots and the Cuban emergency services.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development Crisis Center is providing the families of our compatriots with all the support and information necessary, in coordination with Calvados prefecture. An emergency number has been set up at the Crisis Center: 01 43 17 56 46.


Fight against Daesh – Mr. Laurent Fabius’s participation in the ministerial meeting of the international coalition (Brussels, December 3, 2014)

Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will participate tomorrow in Brussels in the ministerial meeting of the international coalition against Daesh.

Following the International Conference on Peace and Security in Iraq, which we hosted in Paris on September 15, this meeting will be the first meeting of the international coalition at the ministerial level.

It will provide an opportunity to review our overall strategy. In addition to the use of military means alone, this strategy includes actions to prevent the recruitment and movement of foreign fighters, to cut off Daesh’s funding and supply sources, and to combat its propaganda. Support for the populations affected by the humanitarian crisis is an integral part of this strategy.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization - Mr. Laurent Fabius’s participation in the meeting of NATO foreign ministers (Brussels, December 2, 2014)

Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will participate in the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels today.

This is the first high-level political meeting since the summit on September 4 and 5.

This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss efforts to increase the organization’s responsiveness and military flexibility, to review the Ukrainian crisis within the framework of a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission and to launch the Resolute Support mission to provide advice and training to the Afghan army, in the presence of Mr. Ashraf Ghani, President of Afghanistan.


Iraq – Daesh – Deployment by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of a fact-finding mission (November 29, 2014)

France welcomes the deployment in Iraq on November 29 by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of a fact-finding mission, in accordance with the Human Rights Council’s resolution adopted on the initiative of Iraq and France.

This mission, consisting of a team of 12 people located in Erbil, will involve field visits to Iraqi territory and discussions with the victims, notably those who have fled the areas controlled by Daesh.

The mission will investigate the “alleged violations of international human rights law committed by Daesh and associated terrorist groups” and will report back to the Human Rights Council.


Kenya – Attack in Mandera (December 1, 2014)

France condemns the attack that killed 36 civilians in the Mandera region.

We extend our condolences to the victims’ families as well as the Kenyan authorities.

France stands alongside the Kenyan authorities and people in the fight against terrorism.


Cultural network update – France/ United Kingdom – Discovery in Saint-Omer of an original edition of Shakespeare’s works

A rare edition of William Shakespeare’s works has just been discovered among a collection of early books in Saint-Omer (Pas-de-Calais) library.

The work, known as a First Folio, dates from 1623; it is entitled “Mr William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories & Tragedies. Published according to the True Originall Copies” and has just been authenticated by leading Shakespeare experts. It contains 36 Shakespeare plays, printed seven years after the playwright’s death. No other manuscripts by the author remain in existence; the “First Folios” are considered to be works of reference. Only 232 copies still exist - the only other copy known to exist in France is kept at the National Library of France.

This edition came from the library of a college in Saint-Omer attended by English students during the Renaissance period. It was rediscovered while research was being carried out for an exhibition on the history of relations between the Calais region and England. Beyond its scientific interest, it reflects the richness of the historic links between France and the United Kingdom.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/politique-etrangere-de-la-france/diplomatie-culturelle-21822/les-saisons-culturelles-actualites/les-actualites-2014-de-la/article/decouverte-d-un-first-folio-de

http://www.bibliotheque-agglo-stomer.fr/bibliotheque-agglo-stomer.fr/