BILATERAL FRENCH-COLOMBIAN COMMISSION
SRI LANKA
FRANCE / UNITED STATES
MADAGASCAR
IRAN / NUCLEAR
BILATERAL FRENCH-COLOMBIAN COMMISSION
Jaime Bermudez, Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Luis-Guillermo Plata, Colombian Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, visited France on February 2 and 3, marking their second visit in six months.
On February 2, they were received by Bernard Kouchner for a meeting, followed by a working dinner. On this occasion, the ministers discussed important international affairs (Middle East, Afghanistan, world financial crisis), as well as regional affairs (relations between the EU and the Andean Community), and they shared similar views.
In light of FARC’s unilateral release of four members of the security forces on February 1, and that of former governor Alan Jara on February 3, Bernard Kouchner reaffirmed our country’s willingness to contribute to the search for a permanent solution permitting the release of all hostages still detained by FARC. He furthermore welcomed the actions by all those who have contributed to the releases thus far, notably the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
France hopes that conditions can be met very soon for the release of former Cali Deputy Sigifredo Lopez.
The ministers also emphasized the activeness of our bilateral relations, which could build upon two innovations:
the February 3 creation of a council of French-Colombian business owners, co-presided by the president of Alstom International, Philippe Favre and the president of the National Business Association of Colombia, Luis-Carlos Villegas, which conveys the necessity for the two countries’ business owners to create a structure dedicated to increasing trade and expanding our partnerships.
the first meeting, also February 3, of the bilateral French-Colombian Commission, a consultative structure, the creation of which was instigated by the two countries’ leaders. This meeting allowed for discussion about numerous prospects for the two countries in many areas, notably, France’s participation in large Colombian infrastructure projects, our cooperation in terms of higher education, and our scientific and cultural partnerships.
These two days allowed us to reaffirm our shared ambition to reinforce French-Colombian relations.
SRI LANKA
France is following with concern the latest developments in the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka.
All the parties to the conflict must do the utmost to protect civilians in the areas where fighting is going on. Protecting these civilians is a priority. In particular, it is imperative for the humanitarian organizations to be able to come to their aid and evacuate the injured.
We join the appeals for a halt to the hostilities. It is necessary to find a way of achieving a political solution benefiting all the people of Sri Lanka, which is the condition for a fair and lasting peace.
FRANCE / UNITED STATES
Q - Can you provide us details on Bernard Kouchner’s agenda for his visit to Washington? How do you interpret the fact that he is only the third European minister received by Hillary Clinton, that is, after Steinmeier and Miliband?
As we had the occasion to recall yesterday, Bernard Kouchner and Hillary Clinton held a telephone conference on January 22, and they agreed to meet as soon as possible.
The minister will have a working meeting with the Secretary of State at midday on February 5 in Washington.
The minister’s agenda this week (French-Colombian Ministerial Commission, visits by George Mitchell and Mahmoud Abbas, etc.) did not allow him to get to the United States before Thursday. There is no other interpretation to give to this schedule.
MADAGASCAR
Q - Do you have a reaction to the dismissal of the mayor in Madagascar? Events do not seem to proceed toward dialogue, which you had advocated.
We regret the decisions made by both parties, be it the call for the impeachment of president Marc Ravalomanana, or the dismissal of the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry Rajoelina, and his municipal council.
These decisions can only aggravate already difficult relations between the parties, and further distance the prospect of a dialogue, indispensable as it is for a lasting resolution to this political crisis.
France considers it imperative that legality be respected. Any peaceful solution to the crisis should be achieved through political dialogue between the parties.
IRAN / NUCLEAR
Q - A meeting of the Six is taking place in Germany to discuss the Iranian nuclear program. Could you give us some details on this meeting, and if its purpose is to consider new sanctions against Iran?
This meeting of the E3+3 falls within the context of consultations regarding the Iranian nuclear issue.
Iran has not yet met the demands of the UN Security Council and, in particular, never suspended its operations related to enrichment, reprocessing, and heavy water. The last report of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reinforced the concerns of the international community. Iran refuses to answer questions raised by the Agency on activities that may be related to the design and manufacture of nuclear weapons. With our partners of the Six, we increased our efforts at dialogue these past few months, but Iran did not follow suit.
This meeting of political directors should allow for an evaluation of the situation, and for discussion on the next steps. It is the first meeting of the Six to include representatives of the new American administration.