Statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson
Mr. Laurent Fabius’s participation in the 5+5 Economic Forum (Barcelona, October 23, 2013)
Syria – Humanitarian access to Muadhamiya
Russia – Attack in Volgograd (October 21, 2013)
Statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson
Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met this morning with his American counterpart, Mr. John Kerry. He reiterated to him our request for an explanation regarding the unacceptable spying practices between partners which must stop.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the situation in Syria ahead of the meeting of the Friends of Syria “Core Group” taking place today in London, in which both ministers will participate. The goal of this meeting is to discuss in more detail the parameters of a genuine transition process for Syria, in which Bashar al-Assad should have no role to play. Indeed, France supports the swift organization of the Geneva II conference, the goal of which is the establishment of a transitional government exercising full executive powers, including those of the presidency. It is in this spirit that we hope that the members of the “Core Group” will reaffirm and strengthen their support for the Syrian National Coalition.
Mr. Laurent Fabius’s participation in the 5+5 Economic Forum (Barcelona, October 23, 2013)
Mr. Laurent Fabius will visit Barcelona on October 23, 2013, in order to participate in the Economic Forum of the Western Mediterranean. During their meeting in Nouakchott in April 2013, the 5+5 Dialogue foreign ministers called for the organization of an economic forum specifically for the Western Mediterranean region. It is being organized by the General Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean, in coordination with the European Institute of the Mediterranean and Casa Mediterraneo, and will be opened by Mariano Rajoy, President of the Government of Spain.
This forum, which is the first event of its kind within the framework of the 5+5 Dialogue, aims to bring the economic operators of the region - from the public and private sectors - closer together in order to promote economic cooperation, youth training, employment and social development in the region. All of the foreign ministers from the 10 countries of the 5+5 Dialogue will help to launch this forum, together with the presidents of employers’ organizations and representatives from many companies located on both shores of the Western Mediterranean. In addition to the presentation of business opportunities for the operators attending, this forum will provide an opportunity to send a political message to the economic community in order to encourage it to rally around concrete actions.
This meeting will allow Mr. Laurent Fabius to reaffirm the role that our companies play in promoting our economic diplomacy and exchanges between both shores of the Mediterranean.
How is the 5+5 linked to the Union for the Mediterranean?
They complement each other perfectly. The 5+5 is a more restricted format: 10 countries, 5 from the northern shore and 5 from the southern shore. It therefore creates more effective synergies that are easier to implement. It should function as a kind of laboratory for the Union for the Mediterranean. The General Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean also works for the 5+5. Tomorrow’s meeting, organized by the General Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean, will take place in Barcelona, which is the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean
President Hollande participated in a 5+5 summit which took place in Malta in October 2012 at the level of heads of state and government. During this summit, the heads of state and government wanted to revitalize this format. They wanted it to serve as a real driving force behind the Union for the Mediterranean. They therefore decided that a whole series of thematic meetings focusing on concrete areas (agriculture, the environment, economic and social areas) would take place. Tomorrow’s meeting will therefore reflect what the heads of state and government had called for in Malta.
Syria – Humanitarian access to Muadhamiya
France continues, in all international forums, including at the Security Council, to demand that immediate, free and unrestricted access be granted to all populations in need, and that all parties comply with the rules of international humanitarian law.
France utterly condemns the siege of Ghouta and other towns in Rural Damascus, in particular the town of Muadhamiya. The UN agencies were able to evacuate around 3,000 people on Sunday, but at least the same number of civilians, including women and children, remain trapped in Muadhamiya, while the fighting and bombing continue.
France calls for compliance with an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Muadhamiya, in order to allow the UN agencies to evacuate the civilian populations and to deliver emergency humanitarian assistance.
Russia – Attack in Volgograd (October 21, 2013)
France condemns the attack perpetrated yesterday in Volgograd, which, according to the latest reports, killed 6 people and injured 30 others.
We extend our condolences to the victims’ families and friends. In these tragic circumstances, France expresses its solidarity with the Russian authorities and people.