Daily Press Briefing
Statements made by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson
(excerpts)
(Paris, March 16, 2006)
[Please note that only the original French text issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official.]
UNITED NATIONS/HUMAN RIGHTS
I would like to read the statement made by Foreign Minster Philippe Douste-Blazy yesterday:
“I welcome the UN General Assembly’s adoption today of the resolution establishing the Human Rights Council.
“Last September, at the summit for the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, the heads of state and government, meeting in New York, decided to establish a new human rights council. Since then, the work has covered the statute, powers, resources and composition of the new council. As a result of this work, the legitimacy, efficiency and credibility of the United Nations have been strengthened when it comes to international protection and defense of human rights.
“This significant and ambitious reform is today complete. France hails the mobilization of all those who supported and assisted this action over the past several months. It is a significant new step in United Nations reform so it can fully carry out its responsibilities.”
Brigitte Girardin, Minister Delegate for Cooperation, Development and Francophony, will be in Romania on March 20 and 21 for the opening of the estates general of la Francophonie in Romania and also for preparation of the summit of Francophone heads of state and government which will be held in Bucharest on September 28 and 29.
(…)
Soheir Al Ali, Minister for Planning and International Cooperation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is visiting Paris from March 16 to 18, 2006 in the context of the 12th French-Jordanian joint commission (March 16-17). The meeting is being held to define the priority areas for our cooperation with Jordan for coming years (assistance with good governance and modernization of the state, water, agriculture and sustainable development, university cooperation).
Ms Al Ali will also have meetings with European Affairs Minister Delegate Catherine Colonna and with Foreign Trade Minister Delegate Christine Lagarde. At the meeting with Ms Colonna, the two ministers will discuss specifically bilateral cooperation between France and Jordan, EU relations with Jordan and the situation in the Middle East.
The visit by the Jordanian minister for planning and international cooperation affords an opportunity to reaffirm the importance we give to our cooperation with Jordan, whether on culture-related issues or development assistance./.
Embassy of France, March 16, 2006