This evening, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault will host a working dinner for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

They will review the current situation, which continues to deteriorate in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, and discuss the French initiative to foster political momentum.

Mr. Ayrault will reiterate France’s solidarity with the Palestinians and his resolve to do everything he can to revive the peace process.

EU – Jean-Marc Ayrault at the Foreign Affairs Council (Luxembourg - April 18, 2016)

On April 18, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault will attend the Foreign Affairs Council, where the following points will be discussed:

• the situation in Libya and EU support for Mr. Sarraj’s national unity government—the subject of a working dinner that will also include the defense ministers
• the European strategy in Iraq and Syria and the fight against Daesh
• external relations and specifically the question of migration, particularly in the wake of last year’s EU-Africa summit in Valetta on November 11-12. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi will also take part in this discussion.
• relations with Eastern Partnership countries. There will be an update on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The ministers will also discuss peace talks in Colombia with Sergio Jamarillo, the Colombian government’s High Commissioner for Peace.

Mali ⁄ Death of photographer Malick Sidibé – Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault (April 14, 2016)

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Malian photographer Malick Sidibé on April 14.

Malick Sidibé’s elegant, poetic photographs showed us the free and independent face of the country’s young people. Like his compatriot Seydou Keéta, many of whose images are currently on display at the Grand Palais, he was one of his country’s foremost international ambassadors of creativity and talent.

I offer my condolences to the family and loved ones of this great artist.

European Union ⁄ Support for investment – Visit by Harlem Désir to the Doubs (April 15, 2016)

Harlem Désir, Minister of State for European Affairs, will visit Besançon and Pirey this afternoon, to demonstrate EU support for development and innovation in our regions, notably thanks to the Juncker Plan for strategic investment. Thanks to the mobilization of €1.8 billion from the European Fund for Strategic Investments, a total of €9.4 billion in additional investment should be achieved in our regions.

He will visit Dimeco Alipresse in Pirey, which has unique expertise in the production of machine tools and received a loan through the Juncker Plan. France is the leading beneficiary of this plan, with 28 projects selected.

Harlem Désir will also visit the Sybert mass sorting plant in Besançon, with its innovative equipment to reduce waste that has been landfilled, supported by European funds through the “Life” program. He will visit projects in the “Nouvelle ère” business park in Les Auxons, the economic development of which was made possible thanks to the eastern branch of the Rhine-Rhone high-speed railway line, co-financed by the EU.

The Bourgogne Franche-Comté region will receive almost €1.5 billion in structural and investment funds over the period 2014-2020.

Israel ⁄ Palestinian Territories – Construction of new homes in Israeli settlements in the West Bank

France condemns the Israeli authorities’ approval of development plans for several settlements in the West Bank.

This decision, which comes on top of several announcements since the beginning of the year relating to construction and the appropriation of land for Israeli settlements, sends a further negative signal. It fuels tensions and directly threatens the preservation of the two-state solution on the ground. The Israeli authorities must support this solution, not only by words, but by actions.

France is committed, alongside the entire international community, to preserving this solution, which is the only way to achieve a lasting solution to the conflict.

Japan – Earthquake (April 14-15, 2016)

We were saddened to learn that a series of powerful earthquakes killed several people, injured many others and caused major damage in the area of Kumamoto during the night of April 14 to 15.

France extends its condolences to the people and authorities of Japan. We stand alongside them and assure them of our sympathy. Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, sent a message of solidarity to his counterpart.

The French community has been urged to exercise vigilance.

North Korea – Missile launches

Do you have any comment on last night’s launch attempt by North Korea?

Following the nuclear test in January, the February launch, and the launch of short-term missiles in recent weeks, North Korea is determined to pursue the path of confrontation. If this previously unannounced launch is confirmed, it would also represent a risk to civil aviation.

We urge North Korea to immediately cease its threat to regional and international peace and security. It must promptly implement UN Security Council resolutions, which call for the complete, irreversible and verifiable dismantling of its nuclear and ballistic programs.