Jean-Yves Le Drian will receive Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, this evening.

Their discussions will mainly focus on the fight against terrorism, the Syrian crisis, the situation in eastern Ukraine, as well as on bilateral cooperation. The implementation of the "Trianon dialogue" proposed by President Macron on May 29 during President Vladimir Putin's visit to Versailles will notably be discussed.

This visit follows on from the discussions between the French and Russian authorities that have taken place since President Macron's election: Vladimir Putin's visit to Versailles on May 29, Jean-Yves Le Drian's visit to Moscow on June 20.

As the minister stated during his visit to Moscow, "our two countries share the same responsibility for international peace and security, by virtue of our roles as permanent members of the Security Council. (...) We're seeking to work together pragmatically, concretely, to resolve problems that affect us as much as they affect Russia."

United States - France – Foreign trade

Can you provide details about trade between France and the U.S. in 2016 compared with 2015?

According to figures from the French customs authorities, trade was marked by stable French exports in 2016 compared with 2015—amounting to €32.6 billion—and an increase in imports.

France's trade deficit increased from €2.25 billion in 2015 to €3.22 billion in 2016.

Turkey

What's your response to the detention of the chair of the Turkish branch of Amnesty International?

We are concerned by the arrest of Idil Eser, chair of the Turkish branch of Amnesty International, along with seven other persons.

We are closely monitoring her situation in conjunction with our embassy in Ankara.

North Korea

Does Paris consider the use of military force to resolve the North Korean crisis to be a credible option?

In the face of the threat posed by North Korea to peace and regional and international security, the international community must respond with the utmost firmness.

The goal is to draw upon all diplomatic instruments in order to achieve, through dialogue, the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic programs.

France is continuing its efforts to this end.

Libya

General Haftar announced that Benghazi has been completely liberated. What is your analysis of the situation on the ground? Does that give him more bargaining power in the future negotiations for a political solution?

France welcomes all progress in the fight against terrorism, like that currently being made by General Haftar's forces against the terrorist groups in Benghazi.

In order to ensure that this success is sustainable, a regular Libyan army under civilian control must be formed in order to control the entire Libyan territory and its borders.

It is with this in mind, and in order to achieve an inclusive solution based on the inter-Libyan political agreement, that France is working to relaunch the political process. We welcomed the meeting between Prime Minster Fayez Serraj and General Khalifa Hafter on May 2, which was a first positive step. We also support the new special representative of the UN secretary-general, Ghassan Salamé, in his efforts to promote dialogue between the Libyan parties and to ensure that diplomatic initiatives are consistent.

Middle East peace process

Yesterday President Macron reaffirmed France's commitment to the two-state solution, but concretely, what will Paris do? Is France's Middle East initiative launched under President Hollande still in effect?

As the President noted yesterday, France's commitment to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is unwavering.

The President said that to achieve this goal, which is crucial to peace and stability in the region, it is "vital for us to pursue the various initiative launched in recent months" and that "France will be doing its part."

Syria

Yesterday you spoke of a French-German initiative at the OPCW on chemical weapons in Syria. Is this just a declaration, or is there a concrete draft to be voted on by the organization's members?

On July 5, France and Germany presented a joint declaration at the Special Session of the OPCW Executive Council.

The OPCW's Executive Council was meeting to discuss reports by its fact-finding mission in Syria. One of these reports concluded that two victims had died after being exposed to mustard gas in Oum Oush in September 2016. The other unequivocally concluded that sarin, a nerve agent prohibited by the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, was used in a chemical attack on Khan Sheikhoun on April 4.

Faced with this blatant violation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, France and Germany believed it necessary to mobilize the international community without delay in support of the conclusions of these reports.

The OPCW's Executive Council will meet again next week in an ordinary session.

Venezuela

Yesterday, violence broke out at the Venezuelan Parliament, leaving some injured. How does France intend to respond?

France strongly condemns the physical attacks on parliamentarians and personnel of the National Assembly in Caracas while Venezuela was marking its independence.

There is no rule of law without a respect for institutions, no democracy without a sovereign Parliament and parliamentarians free to serve their terms without pressure or violence.

With Venezuela in the grip of strong tensions in recent months, France calls for a halt to all violence, to dialogue, and to respect for Venezuelan democracy.

Croatia - Slovenia

What is France's position on the territorial dispute between Croatia and Slovenia over the Bay of Piran?

As Frans Timmermans, First Vice-President of the European Commission, and several of our European partners have stated, we hope this territorial dispute can be resolved swiftly and definitively, in a constructive manner characterized by dialogue and the easing of tensions.

We took note of the decision handed down on June 29 by the Arbitration Tribunal and hope that it will be respected.

For the sake of both the future of the European Union and regional stability in the Western Balkans, resolving this dispute among two member states that are strongly committed to regional integration is of the utmost importance.