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| Balkans – Paris Balkans 2016 summit (Paris - July 4, 2016)
During the Paris Balkans 2016 summit which is due to take place on July 4 at the Elysée, Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, and Harlem Désir, Minister of State for European Affairs, will meet with the ministers of the countries taking part in the summit.
Jean-Marc Ayrault will chair a meeting at the Quai d'Orsay at 5:00 pm with his counterparts from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as his German, Austrian, Croatian, Italian and Slovenian counterparts. Following the ministerial meeting hosted by Jean-Marc Ayrault in Paris on May 24, this meeting will provide an opportunity to take stock of key current issues, including the refugee crisis and the fight against terrorism.
Harlem Désir, Minister of State for European Affairs, will meet with civil society organizations on the sidelines of the summit and will take part in a forum at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris involving 150 young people from the Balkan countries and the EU. This forum will set the stage for the launch that evening by President Hollande and his counterparts of a Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), modelled on the French-German Youth Office.
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Decentralized cooperation – Opening by Jean-Marc Ayrault of the 7th Forum for International Action by Communities (Paris, Palais des Congrès - July 4-5, 2016)
Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will chair the National Commission for Decentralized Cooperation on July 4. This meeting will open the 7th Forum for International Action by Communities.
This annual meeting brings together more than 1,700 locally elected representatives and officials as well as around 30 foreign delegations. It will provide an opportunity for communities to exchange views regarding the main aspects of their international cooperation: water and sanitation, climate, waste management, public transportation, administration and governance, education, culture and heritage, tourism, mobility and vocational training for young people.
The 7th edition of this forum will also enable local authorities to prepare for the International Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) (Quito, October 17-20) and COP 22 which is due to open in Morocco in November 2016.
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Israel – Murder of a young Israeli girl in Kiryat Arba (West Bank - June 30, 2016)
France condemns the horrific murder of a young Israeli girl in the settlement of Kiryat Arba in the West Bank. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family.
France expresses its deepest concern at the continued violence and terrorist acts. We call on the parties to do everything possible to calm the situation and to put an end to this cycle of violence which has already resulted in too many casualties.
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United Nations / Security Council – Assessment of the French presidency (June 2016, 2016)
Significant progress on a number of fronts was made during the French presidency of the UN Security Council in June 2016:
- the protection of civilians in peacekeeping operations: Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, chaired a public debate on June 10, which was notably attended by the UN secretary-general and Faustin-Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic.
- peace and security: Under our presidency, the Security Council extended the mandate of the European naval operation, EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia, in order to help improve implementation of the arms embargo on Libya (UNSCR 2292). It strengthened the mandate and increased the troop levels of MINUSMA in Mali in order to support the peace progress and to protect civilians in a difficult security environment (UNSCR 2295). The Security Council also took decisions regarding the UN operations in Darfur, in the Golan Heights, and reaffirmed its determination in the face of North Korea's proliferation activities. Our permanent representative also attended—in his capacity as president of the Security Council—the signing of the ceasefire agreement on June 23 concluded in Havana between the Colombian government and the FARC.
- United Nations: The Security Council developed an approach and set out the next steps for the discussions between the members on the appointment of the future UN secretary-general. The first straw poll will be held on July 21.
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EU / Council presidency – Slovakia succeeds the Netherlands (July 1, 2016)
France thanks the Dutch presidency which, in extraordinary circumstances, drew on all its experience and determination to serve a Europe responding to its various challenges. Progress was made during the past six months on such concrete issues as managing the refugee crisis, combating terrorism, and countering tax evasion.
We offer Slovakia our best wishes for the success of its first presidency. In this new stage ushered in by the British referendum, we assure Slovakia of our support in moving forward on our common priorities.
Jean-Marc Ayrault is working closely with his Slovakian counterpart, Miroslav Lajcak, whom he received in Paris on May 25.
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Bahrain – Attack (June 30, 2016)
France condemns the attack south of Manama that took one life and injured three children during the evening of June 30.
It offers its condolences to the victims' families.
We assure the Bahraini people of our solidarity.
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Egypt – Terrorist attacks (June 30, 2016)
France condemns the murder of a Coptic priest on June 30 in al-Arish (North Sinai), for which Daesh claimed credit, as well as the attack that took the lives of six Egyptian soldiers at the Libyan border.
We offer our condolences to the victims' families.
France assures Egypt of its solidarity in the fight against terrorism.
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Liberia – Security mission transfer (June 30, 2016)
France applauds the transfer of responsibility for the latest UN Security Missions in Liberia (UNMIL) to the authorities of that country.
This is an important step toward normalizing the situation in Liberia, ahead of the decisions that will be taken at the end of the year by the Security Council—based on the UN secretary-general's recommendations—on the evolution of UNMIL.
France stands shoulder to shoulder with Liberia.
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