Pakistan – Car bombing at the Jalozai refugee camp
Burma – Unrest in Meiktila
World Water Day (March 22, 2013)
Turkey – PKK
Syria – Attack at a mosque (March 21, 2013)
Syria – Telephone conversation between Mr. Laurent Fabius and Mr. Moaz al-Khatib, President of the Syrian National Coalition (March 21, 2013)
Informal meeting of the European foreign ministers – Visit to Dublin by Mr. Laurent Fabius (March 22-23, 2013)
Pakistan – Car bombing at the Jalozai refugee camp
France strongly condemns the attack that targeted the Jalozai refugee camp in Pakistan. According to the latest reports, this attack killed 15 people and injured around 40 in this camp that provides shelter to people fleeing the fighting between Pakistani security forces and Taliban forces.
France extends its condolences to the bereaved. In the run-up to important elections for the country, France reaffirms its solidarity with the Pakistani people in the face of terrorism.
France is concerned by the violence that took place in the town of Meiktila which has resulted in the death of around 20 people.
It extends its condolences to the people of Burma and to the bereaved.
France urges the parties involved to demonstrate tolerance and restraint, and has confidence in the Burmese government to swiftly restore calm.
Mr. Pascal Canfin, Minister Delegate for Development, who is currently in Burma, will discuss this issue today with the Burmese authorities during his meetings.
World Water Day (March 22, 2013)
France joins in celebrating World Water Day on March 22, within the framework of the International Year of Water Cooperation, coordinated by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and launched on February 11, 2013, in Paris.
Water is central to sustainable development and the fight against poverty. That’s why France has made it a key priority of its international cooperation efforts. Thanks in particular to France’s action, the UN recognized access to drinking water and sanitation as a human right in July 2010.
In 10 years France has doubled its official assistance in this area. It amounts to €600 million per year for the period 2010-2015, making our country the third leading bilateral donor for this type of action.
For example, the French Development Agency (AFD), the leading French operator, supports the state-controlled water supply company in Port-au-Prince, making it possible to provide sufficient good quality water, at an affordable price, to 500,000 people in 37 districts.
Sub-Saharan Africa, where 40% of the 783 million people who still don’t have access to drinking water live, is a priority of our action. France has therefore pledged €40 million to help rebuild the fund to support the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative.
France welcomes the announcement by the PKK of its decision to lay down their arms, which is a positive development for the future of Turkey after several decades of conflict.
We support the efforts of the Turkish government, together with the actors concerned, to implement a peaceful solution that will allow Turkey to live in peace, democracy and prosperity.
Syria – Attack at a mosque (March 21, 2013)
France strongly condemns the terrorist attack perpetrated on Thursday at the Eman mosque in Damascus which resulted in numerous casualties, including Sheik Mohammad Said Ramada al-Bouti. It reaffirms its condemnation of all violence against civilians and its commitment to fighting terrorism.
France extends its condolences to the bereaved and to the Syrian people.
It welcomes the statement issued by the president of the Syrian National Coalition, who strongly condemned this barbaric act.
Syria – Telephone conversation between Mr. Laurent Fabius and Mr. Moaz al-Khatib, President of the Syrian National Coalition (March 21, 2013)
The minister of foreign affairs spoke yesterday by telephone with Mr. Moaz al-Khatib, President of the Syrian National Coalition.
Following the election of a prime minister to establish an interim government, this conversation provided an opportunity to review the process under way to reorganize the Syrian opposition.
On the eve of the informal meeting of the European foreign ministers, Mr. Laurent Fabius and Mr. Moaz al-Khatib discussed the issue of lifting the European embargo on arms to Syria.
In the run-up to the Arab League summit, which is due to take place on March 26 in Doha, when the Coalition will speak for the first time on behalf of Syria, the minister reaffirmed his support for the Coalition and its president.
This conversation also provided an opportunity to confirm to the president of the Syrian National Coalition France’s unwavering commitment to the Syrian opposition in support of a free and democratic Syria.
Informal meeting of the European foreign ministers – Visit to Dublin by Mr. Laurent Fabius (March 22-23, 2013)
Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will take part in the informal meeting of the European foreign ministers - in the so-called Gymnich format - which will take place in Dublin (March 22-23) and will be chaired by Ms. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
This meeting will be devoted to the Syrian crisis and notably the issue of lifting the arms embargo, following the request made at the European Council on March 15.
The ministers will also address the review of the European External Action Service (EEAS) in the presence of Mr. Elmar Brok, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament. This exercise will make it possible to reflect on the review of the EEAS and on how it might be accomplished. The review is due to take place in 2014 on the basis of a report to be drawn up by Ms. Ashton.
Lastly, relations between the EU and the regional organizations will be discussed with a view toward improving cooperation with the latter.