France welcomes the decision by the president of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, to entrust Zoran Zaev, the leader of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, with forming a government yesterday.

This provides an important opportunity for the FYROM to resolve the political crisis. We hope that the government will be formed in the near future.

France calls on all political forces represented in Parliament to establish a constructive dialogue within the institutions in order to allow the future authorities to swiftly implement the urgently needed reforms to ensure the country's lasting stability and progress toward European rapprochement.

Central African Republic

What efforts is France making to promote stability and consolidate peace in the Central African Republic in light of the recent spike in violence?

France, in close collaboration with its African, European and international partners, is actively working to promote stability and consolidate peace in the Central African Republic.

We again condemn, in the strongest terms, the recent attacks which have claimed the lives of six MINUSCA peacekeepers and many civilians.

We lend our full support to President Faustin Archange Touadéra and to the authorities of the Central African Republic in their efforts to restore security and the authority of the state throughout the country.

Lastly, France is playing its full part in these efforts within the UN operation (MINUSCA), in which French soldiers are taking part, and whose strategic analysis capability it has just strengthened through the provision of drones. It also contributes to the work of the EU mission EUTM RCA aimed at restructuring and training the Central African Republic's armed forces.

Turkey – Situation of Mr. Depardon

What is France doing to help the French journalist Mathias Depardon, who was jailed 10 days ago while working on a report for National Geographic?

Our Embassy in Ankara has mobilized all its efforts since the arrest of our compatriot to obtain his release. We are in touch with his lawyer and his family. We've asked the Turkish authorities to extend the consular protections, notably the right to receive visits, provided under international agreements.

Libya

Does France consider, like the Libyan diplomatic chief, that Field Marshal Haftar is the head of the Libyan army?

Libya needs to build a national army that includes the participation of all forces that are fighting terrorism nationwide, including those of General Haftar, under a civilian authority. This is one of the major challenges that need to be discussed by the various Libyan parties in the general interest of the country.

In conjunction with our European partners and Libya's neighbors, France will study the modalities for strengthening its political and security efforts with a view to rebuilding Libyan institutions, particularly an army capable of defeating the terrorists.

Venezuela

The situation in Venezuela is deteriorating daily. Do you consider this an international threat, and should it be referred to the UN?

For France, as well as its European partners, the immediate priority is ending the violence by supporting a credible regional or international mediation effort that enjoys the trust of both parties—the government and the opposition parties—to help restore dialogue and stability.