Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, spoke on the phone with his Madagascan counterpart, Béatrice Atallah, on Monday, August 22, following the death of two young French citizens found on a beach on the island of Ste. Marie in Madagascar.

The minister expressed the hope that full light would be shed on the circumstances behind this horrific murder and hoped that, in general, the security of French citizens in Madagascar would be guaranteed.

The Consulate General in Antananarivo as well as the ministry's departments in Paris are mobilized and are providing assistance to the families and friends of our compatriots who died.

New Zealand – Meeting between Jean-Marc Ayrault and his counterpart, Murray McCully (Paris - August 24, 2016)

Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will receive his New Zealand counterpart, Murray McCully, on August 24.

Mr. Ayrault and Mr. McCully will take stock of the strengthening of our exchanges, notably in the economic and trade spheres, and will discuss the key issues on the agenda of the UN Security Council, where France and New Zealand work closely together.

Following Manuel Valls's visit to New Zealand from May 1 to 2, 2016, Prime Minister John Key visited Paris, where he witnessed New Zealand's troops take part in the Bastille Day parade on the Champs-Élysées to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

Myanmar (Burma) – Meeting between Jean-Marc Ayrault and Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister of the Yangon Region (Paris - August 24, 2016)

Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, will receive Phyo Min Thein, Chief Minister of the Yangon Region, on August 24. Phyo Min Thein is close to Aung San Suu Kyi, with whom he shared the struggle for democracy; the minister met with him during his visit to Burma in June 2016.

They will take stock of the preparation of several French-Burmese cooperation projects aimed at regenerating and developing Yangon. Some of these projects, such as the renovation of the city's overpasses, will be launched during the "Mingalaba!" festival organized by France in December, which will be Yangon's first major street festival.

During his visit to France, Phyo Min Thein will—in addition to his meetings with French leaders—meet with French firms in the urban development sector and will travel to Nantes and Saint-Nazaire, at the invitation of the mayors of these two cities, in order to visit the port and waterway facilities.

Gambia – Death of United Democratic Party activist while in custody (August 21, 2016)

France is concerned by the death, while in custody, of Solo Krummah, an official in Gambia's United Democratic Party (UDP), who had been arrested on May 9. We urge an independent investigation into the circumstances of his death, as well as that of UDP activist Solo Sandeng shortly after his arrest on April 14.

We call for the release of all political prisoners.

The allegations of torture are particularly troubling. France asks the Gambian authorities to fully respect the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly and human rights, in keeping with Gambia's international commitments.

Libya

What is your response to the Libyan Parliament's no-confidence vote in the government?

For France, the priority is implementing the Skhirat agreement, which provides for a political process—the only way to restore peace and stability in Libya—under the auspices of the Presidency Council of the Governement of National Accord.

To that end, France is in touch with all its partners and with the UN secretary-general's special representative Martin Kobler.