I was extremely saddened to learn of the appalling murder in the Philippines of Canadian citizen John Ridsdel, who had been held hostage by an armed Islamist group.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, the authorities and the Canadian people, on my own behalf and on behalf of France.

We must remain resilient in the face of barbarity so that humanity may prevail.

Australia ⁄ France selected for a submarine program – Statement by the minister of foreign affairs and international development (April 26, 2016)

I congratulate all those who took part in the preparation of the French proposal, in response to Australia’s call for tenders for its important submarine program.

Manufacturers—in particular DCNS—and government agencies mobilized their efforts in an exemplary manner to promote France’s bid. This is further evidence of our country’s ability to persuade and succeed in the most technologically advanced sectors.

This cooperation over a period of 50 years will open a new chapter in the strategic relations between France and Australia, which are already exceptional and rooted in the long term. Our closeness in terms of values, strategic and overall interests, and in terms of geography, through the proximity of our territories in the Pacific, will be further strengthened by this new joint defense project.

Syria – Telephone conversation between Jean-Marc Ayrault and Riad Hijab, General Coordinator of the High Negotiations Committee representing the Syrian opposition (April 25, 2016)

Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, spoke on the telephone on April 25 with Riad Hijab, General Coordinator of the High Negotiations Committee representing the Syrian opposition.

Jean-Marc Ayrault expressed his deep concern at the breaches of the cessation of hostilities, especially in the Aleppo region, which has resulted in dozens of deaths over the last few days and has led to a new wave of displaced persons.

Jean-Marc Ayrault believes, like his interlocutor, that the breakdown of the truce poses a threat to the political process, which is the only way to resolve the crisis. The Damascus regime bears a high degree of responsibility for this. The minister and his interlocutor underscored the need for the regime’s supporters to exert the necessary pressure to ensure that it complies with the truce and engages in good faith in the negotiations.

Jean-Marc Ayrault noted the constructive role of the opposition in Geneva over the last few weeks, which has resulted in concrete proposals regarding the transition. The minister again reaffirmed his support for UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura.

Mr. Ayrault and Mr. Hijab underscored the need for the international community to take the initiative once again to relaunch the political process. This will be discussed with our partners in the next few days.

Portugal ⁄ Economic diplomacy – Meeting between Matthias Fekl and Jorge Costa Oliveira (Paris - April 26, 2016)

Matthias Fekl, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad, will receive Jorge Costa Oliveira, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Internationalization, today.

This meeting follows on from the 4th French-Portuguese Economic Conference, co-chaired by Matthias Fekl in Lisbon in March. It will provide an opportunity to underscore the excellent quality of our bilateral dialogue, to signal our desire to strengthen our relations in the economic sphere and in particular to discuss cross-investment between our two countries.

France is Portugal’s third largest supplier and second largest client; more than 600 French subsidiaries operate in Portugal in all sectors of the economy. Furthermore, France is the second most popular destination for Portuguese tourists, with 750,000 of them visiting France in 2015.

Yemen – City of Al Mukalla retaken (April 25, 2016)

France welcomes the retaking of the city of Al Mukalla by government forces, supported by the Arab Coalition, following an offensive launched on April 23 in the eastern province of Hadramawt against terrorist group Al Qaeda.

This operation aimed at countering the expansion of terrorism in the region has been a success; it will allow Yemen’s legitimate authorities to reaffirm their sovereignty over the territory.

France reaffirms the need for a political solution to the crisis in Yemen and reaffirms its support for the efforts of the special envoy of the UN secretary-general in the negotiations underway in Kuwait.

Egypt – Prison sentences for 11 Egyptian homosexuals

We note with concern the prison sentences that a court in Agouza handed down against 11 people because of their sexual orientation. We hope these convictions will be overturned.

France reiterates its commitment to the fight against human rights violations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. We support the aim of a universal decriminalization of homosexuality.

France calls on the Egyptian authorities to uphold their international commitments on human rights, including those relating to non-discrimination.

Libya – French health aid to Benghazi (April 26, 2016)

France donated a large quantity of medicines to the Benghazi Medical Center on April 26.

This aid comes on top of aid provided jointly with Germany on April 16 during the visit to Tripoli by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault and his German counterpart.

Mindful of the needs of the Libyan people, France is demonstrating its support, through this gesture, for the national unity government headed by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj, which offers hope to all Libyans. This aid will help meet the needs of hospitals in Benghazi, Tripoli and their surroundings for a few months.

Bangladesh – Murder of civil society representatives (April 23-25, 2016)

France condemns the murders in Bangladesh of Professor Razaul Karim Siddique on April 23, the Hindu priest Paramananda Roy on April 24, and two LGBT rights activists, Xulhaz Mannan and Mahbub Tonoy, on April 25.

These heinous murders are the latest in a series of murders of civil society and human rights activists and members of religious minorities in recent months. Daesh has claimed credit for most of them.

France offers its condolences to the victims’ loved ones and stands with Bangladesh in the fight against terrorism. The perpetrators of these crimes must be brought to justice.

Burundi – Resurgence of violence (April 25, 2016)

France condemns the murders and attempted murders of several representatives of the Burundian authorities in recent days, including the attack on April 25 that took the lives of General Athanase Kararuza, security adviser to the First Vice President, and his wife, and the failed attempt on the life of the Minister of Human Rights and his wife on April 24.

France denounces the criminal acts and human rights violations carried out over the past year in Burundi, regardless of their perpetrators, and which are hindering the national reconciliation process. The proliferation of such attacks underscores the need for resuming the inter-Burundian dialogue without delay and with the support of regional mediators, the African Union and the United Nations. We call on the Burundian parties to take part in the dialogue conducted by the facilitator and former President of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa, announced last week in Arusha.

Given the deterioration of the situation in Burundi, France is working hard within the UN Security Council in particular to guarantee the full implementation of resolution 2279. It points out that the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has just opened a preliminary examination of the situation in Burundi since April 2015.

Democratic Republic of the Congo – Political situation

France expresses its concern over challenges to the political debate in DRC, as reflected by the events of the past few days in Lubumbashi and Kinshasa.

Fundamental liberties must be respected.

We underscore our commitment to the establishment of a free, transparent and peaceful electoral process in compliance with the Congolese Constitution, a goal set by the UN Security Council in resolution 2277 of March 30, 2016. This process entails the establishment of a calm political debate without restrictions on those with a mandate to participate.

Mexico – Murder of a journalist (April 25, 2016)

France condemns the murder of Francisco Pacheco, editor-in-chief of the weekly El Foro de Taxco, in the State of Guerrero.

We offer our condolences to his loved ones. France supports the Mexican authorities’ efforts to identify the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice.

On World Press Freedom Day, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault will reiterate France’s commitment to the freedom of the press by visiting the Maison des Journalistes de Paris—an association that welcomes threatened journalists from around the world—on May 4. He will applaud the courage of journalists who in Mexico and elsewhere sometimes risk their lives for the sake of free access to information.

Ukraine – 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster (April 26, 2016)

The 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster today reminds us of the importance of ensuring the safety of nuclear facilities.

France has not forgotten all the victims of this tragedy and reaffirms its solidarity with those who are still suffering from its consequences today.

France has long been committed, alongside its G7 partners, to ensuring the safety of the Chernobyl site. Our country is the second largest donor, having contributed a total of €178.2 million. The construction of a confinement arch to seal the damaged Chernobyl reactor is notably being carried out by a consortium consisting of two French groups from the construction industry—Bouygues and Vinci. In this context, we welcome the agreement reached yesterday in Kiev by international donors to provide additional funding for the construction of a facility to process and store spent fuel from reactors 1, 2 and 3 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.