Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (Paris, May 14, 2014)

Mali - Joint visit by Ms. Annick Girardin and Mr. Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development (May 14 to 16, 2014)
Syria

Mali - Joint visit by Ms. Annick Girardin and Mr. Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development (May 14 to 16, 2014)

One year after the international donors’ conference “Together for a new Mali,” Ms. Annick Girardin, Minister of State for Development and Francophony, and Mr. Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development, will conduct a joint visit to Mali from May 14 to 16. The conference on May 15, 2013, enabled us to raise almost €3.3 billion to support the country’s development.

This visit will provide an opportunity to assess the implementation of the commitments made by donors and the Malian government and to measure the progress achieved. The Malian authorities will provide an update on the reforms undertaken with respect to good governance and balanced development of the country. Special attention will be given to decentralization, agriculture, urban development and education.

Two thirds of the €3.3 billion pledged for the 2013-2014 period have already been allocated, and a third has been paid out. France contributed €70 million, bringing its total commitment to €280 million. In order to ensure transparency and enhance effectiveness, an interactive, publicly accessible website will provide regular updates on the implementation of our cooperation projects in Mali (http://transparence.ambafrance-ml.org).

During their visit, Ms. Annick Girardin and Mr. Andris Piebalgs will meet with the Malian authorities and civil society and will visit projects funded by France and the European Union.

Syria

Q - Yesterday in Washington, Laurent Fabius again mentioned the use of chemical weapons in Syria. How do things stand with respect to this issue and what is your position?

It’s been established that the Damascus regime has already used chemical weapons against its people. It has concealed the scale of its program for years. The chemical threat will remain until the goal of complete, rapid and verified dismantlement has been achieved.

An OPCW fact finding mission has been established in order to gather information on the allegations of the use of chlorine gas in several locations around the village of Kfar Zeita, in Hama province, 200 km north of Damascus.

As Mr. Laurent Fabius indicated, the experts are carrying out their work. In the case of chlorine gas, very little lasting trace can be discerned after its use.