Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will meet today with Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francophonie and Regional Integration of Gabon.

The ministers will discuss key regional issues, notably the situation in the Central African Republic, where Gabon has been maintaining contingent of 450 men as part of the UN mission.

They will also take stock of the main aspects of our bilateral relations.

NATO – Meeting between Jean-Marc Ayrault and Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (Paris -June 2, 2016)

Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will today receive Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General.

This meeting is being held in the context of preparations for the NATO summit due to take place from July 8 to 9 in Warsaw.

They will notably discuss the organization's adaptation to new security challenges and cooperation with the EU.

Peace initiative in the Middle East (Paris - June 3, 2016)

France will host 28 delegations in Paris tomorrow for a ministerial meeting marking the first phase of its initiative aimed at promoting peace in the Middle East.

This meeting will be opened by President Hollande. It will be chaired by Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development. The participants will take stock of the situation on the ground, which is posing a threat to the two-state solution.

They will discuss ways to safeguard this solution, bring the Israelis and Palestinians together and restore the possibility of peace negotiations, notably by preparing for an international conference at the end of 2016. We need to set the scene for giving fresh impetus to the peace process, with the active support of the international community as a whole.

For more information, please visit: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/

Somalia – Terrorist attack (June 1, 2016

France condemns the attack carried out on June 1, 2016, by the Shabab terrorist group, in a hotel in Mogadishu which left a large number of people dead, including two Somali lawmakers.

We extend our condolences to the victims' families and to the Somali authorities. The perpetrators must be brought to justice.

France expresses its solidarity with the Somali authorities and the forces belonging to the African Union Mission in Somalia, which are fighting against terrorism. Together with our European partners, we stand alongside the Somali government in this fight.

Guinea – End of the Ebola epidemic declared (June 1, 2016)

The World Health Organization declared the end of the Ebola epidemic in Guinea on June 1.

We express our solidarity with the families affected by the virus and commend the efforts of the Guinean authorities and medical personnel to contain the epidemic.

France has been mobilizing its efforts alongside them since the start of the epidemic. It is continuing to help Guinea rebuild its health system and prepare its response in the event of a new epidemic, notably thanks to the efforts of its agencies (Expertise France, French Development Agency) and its research institutes (Institut Pasteur, IRD [Institute for Research and Development], INSERM [France's National Institute for Health and Medical Research].

Haiti

What is France's response regarding the future of the electoral process in Haiti, following reports by the independent commission of massive fraud during the first round of the presidential election?

France takes note of the report by the Independent Electoral Evaluation Commission.

The Provisional Electoral Council must now swiftly announce a timetable that will allow the Haitian people to complete the electoral cycle initiated in 2015 and elect their president.

France calls on all actors to facilitate the swift holding of credible, transparent and democratic elections that will allow the country to return to political stability and development.

Mali

Can you provide details about the French civilian killed in Mali?

We confirm the death of a French citizen in the terrorist attacks on May 31 in Gao, Mali.

We extend our deepest condolences to our compatriot's family and express our wholehearted solidarity with them. As you know, out of respect for the family members, we do not provide any private information about our compatriots who have died abroad.

We condemned these attacks yesterday. France stands alongside the Malian authorities as well as MINUSMA in the fight against terrorism.