Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, spoke with Staffan de Mistura, UN Special Envoy for Syria, and reaffirmed France's support for his mediation efforts aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis.

Jean-Marc Ayrault and Staffan de Mistura took stock of the troubling deterioration in the security situation in the country. The Syrian regime bears primary responsibility for the continued violations of the cessation of hostilities. The plight of the civilian populations is critical given the lack of humanitarian deliveries on the ground.

Jean-Marc Ayrault and Staffan de Mistura also discussed the inter-Syrian negotiations which resumed on March 23 in Geneva. France would like them to continue in a constructive spirit and to focus on the four main items on the agenda: the political transition, the constitution and the elections, in accordance with UNSCR 2254, and the fight against terrorism. The Syrian regime in particular is expected to negotiate in good faith in order to make progress toward resolving the crisis.

France reaffirms that the only way to ease the suffering of the Syrian people, restore lasting peace in Syria and effectively combat terrorism is through a political solution.

France-Central Asia – 25^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations

Jean-Marc Ayrault will receive, on March 29 at the Quai d'Orsay, his counterparts from the five Central Asian states to celebrate the establishment in 1992 of diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

The discussions between the minister and his guests will focus on the development of relations between France and each of them as well as cooperation on major international issues, starting with the fight against terrorism. The meeting will provide an opportunity to reaffirm our support for the modernization of these countries in all areas. The strengthening of our ties, notably in the areas of education and culture, will also be included on the agenda.

On this occasion, Jean-Marc Ayrault will also have bilateral meetings with his Kazakhstan counterpart, Kairat Abdrakhmanov, his Uzbek counterpart, Abdulaziz Kamilov, as well as with Azamat Usenov, Kyrgyzstan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muzaffar Husseinzoda, Tajikistan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vepa Hajiyev, Turkmenistan's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

An exhibition of archives retracing the development of diplomatic relations between France and Central Asia over the last 25 years will be presented by Jean-Marc Ayrault to his interlocutors at the Quai d'Orsay.

Albania – Signing of a strategic cooperation partnership by Harlem Désir, Minister of State for European Affairs, and Ditmir Bushati, Minister of Foreign Affairs (March 28, 2017)

Harlem Désir, Minister of State for European Affairs, will receive Ditmir Bushati, Albania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, on March 28.

Mr. Désir and Mr. Bushati will take stock of the rapprochement process between Albania and the EU. They will discuss the follow-up to the Paris-Balkans 2016 summit in July 2016, which helped launch the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO). The ministers will discuss the strengthening of our bilateral relations and the political situation in the Western Balkans region.

Mr. Désir and Mr. Bushati will sign a strategic cooperation partnership in the presence of Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve and Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania.

Death of Mario Bettati – (March 27, 2017)

We were extremely saddened and shocked to learn of the death of Mario Bettati.

We pay tribute to the memory of this great lawyer who was committed to defending a certain vision of humanity; he was a strong advocate and ardent defender of the right to intervene, which he conceptualized and which helped advance the debate over humanitarian law and developments in this law. It was on this basis that the UN developed and adopted the concept of the responsibility to protect.

Mario Bettati was a professor at the University of Reims and then at the University of Paris, the author of many reference works on international law and in particular on international humanitarian law, and was also a legal adviser to the cabinet of Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time, and Deputy Chairman of the National Advisory Commission on Human Rights.

He believed that we could not forget the lessons of the genocides and crimes against humanity committed in the 20^th century, which continue to haunt our conscience, and that the international community could not remain powerless while civilian populations were at risk.

His expertise in international relations, his quick wit and candor will continue to be strongly felt at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development where he had many friends.

We share the grief of his family and friends, to whom we extend our heartfelt condolences.

Democratic Republic of Congo – Security and political situation

France expresses its deep concern over the ongoing deterioration of the situation in Kasai in recent months. We strongly condemn the deadly violence and the attacks on human rights in the region.

Reports of the death of 39 police officers in a militia attack by the Kamuina Nsapu group on March 24 near the town of Tshikapa in the Kasai region are especially troubling. We offer our condolences to the victims' families.

We demand a full investigation of these serious acts and that those responsible be identified and brought to justice.

France underscores the importance, in this context, of the effective implementation of the agreement of December 31, which provides the only roadmap for a peaceful end to the crisis in DRC, as Jean-Marc Ayrault noted during his meeting with the head of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) last week. We call on the signatories to implement their commitments, which include the urgent appointment of an interim Prime Minister in keeping with the terms of the agreement of December 31.

South Africa – Death of Ahmed Kathrada (March 28, 2017)

We were saddened to learn of the death of Ahmed Kathrada, an eminent figure in the anti-apartheid struggle alongside Nelson Mandela, with whom he was imprisoned on Robben Island.

We applaud his role in the establishment of a free and democratic South Africa, for which he was honored with the rank of chevalier in the Legion of Honor in 2015.

We also remember his special affection for Reunion Island, which he visited several times. France offers its condolences to his loved ones and to the South African people.

Belarus – Arrest of demonstrators (March 25, 2017)

France is deeply concerned by the brutal dispersal of the peaceful demonstration held on March 25 in Belarus, and by the numerous arrests by security forces, including the ones made at the Viasna Human Rights Center.

This occurred despite the fact that the international community had called for [Belarus] to respect the freedom to demonstrate, along with the freedoms of assembly, association and expression.

China

Beijing asked France to protect its nationals after a Chinese national was killed by the police. Do you have any response?

An investigation is currently underway to shed light on the circumstances that led to the death of a Chinese national on Sunday March 26 in the 19^th Arrondissement of Paris. Please contact the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice, as well as the Paris police headquarters, for more information regarding this investigation.