I had a meeting with my counterparts from Germany, Italy, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States, and the Turkish Under-Secretary of State to discuss the next stages of the process initiated in Vienna to resolve the Syria crisis.

We welcomed the results of the Riyadh conference, which made it possible for the first time to rally Syria's political opposition, civilian and armed, around a common platform, a milestone vis-à-vis the inter-Syrian negotiations provided for under the Vienna Process. Everyone also indicated their willingness to contribute to the work being done by the working group on terrorism, of which Jordan has been put in charge. This discussion, in which the United Nations Security Council's 1267 Committee has a major role to play, must support the advances made by the political process. Finally, we reaffirmed the need to link the objective of a ceasefire with the prospect of a credible political transition in Syria, in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Communiqué.

Chemical weapons – Honor bestowed upon OPCW director general (December 15, 2015)

Laurent Fabius will today bestow the insignia of the Legion of Honor upon Ahmet Uzumcu, Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The OPCW, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013, plays a key role in ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons while at the same time ensuring that the verification and inspections regime is strengthened in order to prevent any possibility of the reemergence of chemical weapons.

European Union – Harlem Désir's participation in the General Affairs Council (December 15, 2015)

Harlem Désir, Minister of State for European Affairs, will take part in the General Affairs Council in Brussels today.

The work will mainly focus on preparations for the European Council on December 17 and 18. Harlem Désir will argue that this meeting should send a strong signal regarding the EU's commitment to implementing the Paris agreement of December 12 on the fight against climate disruption.

Following the agreement reached on the European PNR system, the participants will discuss the European commitment to combating terrorism and in particular the strengthening of external border controls and efforts to combat the financing of terrorism.

They will also review the migration crisis and underscore the urgent need to fully implement the measures adopted.

Yemen – Opening of peace talks in Switzerland (December 15, 2015)

France welcomes the opening of peace talks under the auspices of the United Nations today in Switzerland as well as the establishment of a ceasefire between the warring factions. This is an important step toward the restoration of peace, which will help relieve the suffering of the Yemeni people.

In light of the increasing terrorist threat and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country, it calls on the parties to make a commitment to ensuring the success of the negotiations with a view toward fully implementing UNSCR 2216 and lends its support to the efforts of Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General.

Somalia – Murder of an employee of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and an employee of a partner organization (Mogadishu - December 14, 2015)

France condemns the murder of an employee of the UNHCR, Amina Noor Mohamed, on December 14 in Mogadishu as well as her driver, an employee of a partner organization of the UNHCR.

We extend our condolences to their families. The perpetrators of this crime must be brought to justice.

France again expresses its support for the efforts of the Somali Federal Government and the African Union Mission in Somalia in the fight against the Shabab terrorist group. It reaffirms its support for the action of the UNHCR and pays tribute to its personnel who risk their lives to bring aid to the most vulnerable.

We call on the international community to strengthen its efforts to ensure the protection of humanitarian workers.

Libya – Murder of two civilians by Daesh (December 14, 2015)

France condemns the execution of two civilians—a Moroccan and a Palestinian—by Daesh terrorists in the coastal city of Surt on December 14.

We extend our wholehearted condolences to the families of the victims. We stand alongside the Libyan people in the fight against terrorism.

China – EBRD membership (December 14, 2015)

France welcomes China's membership in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ERBD).

This membership, which France has always supported, will strengthen the EBRD's investment capabilities and encourage projects of common interest to Europe and Asia.

Bosnia-Herzegovina – Commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Dayton accords (December 14, 2015)

Twenty years ago, the peace agreements initialed in Dayton were signed at the Elysée Palace. They brought an end to one of the most tragic periods in the history of the Balkans and the European Continent. France will not forget the victims of those years of fighting and violence.

We have come a long way since 1995. Little by little, Bosnia-Herzegovina is moving closer to the European Union, particularly as a result of the encouraging measures adopted this year as part of the reform agenda.

We urge everyone to contribute to the continuation of this process.

Afghanistan / Spain – Terrorist attack (December 11, 2015)

We condemn the attack on the Spanish Embassy in Kabul, for which the Taliban claimed credit. Seven people perished in this attack: two Spanish policemen, an Afghan embassy employee, and four Afghan policemen.

France offers its sincere condolences to the victims' families and loved ones, and to the Afghan and Spanish governments, and assures them of its determination to combat all forms of international terrorism.

Argentina – Bus accident (December 14, 2015)

We were deeply saddened to learn of the serious bus accident in Salta Province, in northern Argentina, during the night of December 13-14, which left more than 40 police officers dead and many injured.

At this painful time, France offers its condolences to the Argentinian people and authorities, and to the families of the victims.

Development / Digital technology – Presentation of the Development and Digital Technology action plan by Annick Girardin and Axelle Lemaire (December 15, 2015)

Annick Girardin, minister of state for development and Francophony, and Axelle Lemaire, minister of state for digital affairs, are presenting the Development and Digital Technology action plan today.

Launched on July 9, this plan came about as a result of intense cooperation with numerous public and private sector representatives specializing in digital technology and development, and reflects the objective of fostering the technological revolution in developing countries.

Indeed, digital technology will contribute strongly to the success of the new Sustainable Development Agenda adopted in September and, more broadly, to sustainable development in the Global South.

France is determined to support developing countries in their efforts to deploy networks and develop digital economies, and to strengthen the connections between our cooperative development efforts and those involving digital and economic diplomacy.