Israel – Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development Spokesperson (Jan. 2)
Peace in the Middle East is in everyone’s interest; this is the steadfast position adopted by France, which takes its decisions completely independently. The Security Council has a central role to play in leading the parties to a fair, lasting solution; escalation can lead only to deadlock. France takes its decisions on the basis of these principles and will continue to do so.
Ukraine – Conversation between Mr. Laurent Fabius and his German, Russian and Ukrainian counterparts (Jan. 2)
Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, spoke on the telephone this morning with his German, Russian and Ukrainian counterparts about the crisis in Ukraine.
The foreign affairs ministers discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements signed in September. They underscored the importance of swiftly convening a meeting of the contact group in order to make progress on the key outstanding issues. The ministers agreed to consult each other again in the so-called Normandy format in the next few days.