France welcomes the resumption today of the inter-Syrian peace negotiations under UN auspices in Geneva. We reaffirm our support for the mediation efforts of Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Syria Staffan de Mistura.

After nearly seven years of war, the toll exacted by this conflict continues to rise. The cessation of hostilities and the unconditional, full and unrestricted delivery of humanitarian assistance to all populations in need are essential, both for the civilian populations and in terms of finding a political solution. The conference in Riyadh laid the groundwork for a unified, credible and pragmatic opposition. We also expect the regime's delegation to engage in good faith in these discussions in order to make progress toward a negotiated political solution, in accordance with the Geneva Communiqué and UNSCR 2254.

The Geneva process remains the only framework agreed by the international community aimed at finding a political solution in Syria. The international efforts to that end must be undertaken within this framework. In order to support the Geneva process, France is working to mobilize the permanent members of the Security Council in order to support Staffan de Mistura's mediation efforts and to produce the outlines of a political settlement. This is the reason for the meeting initiated by France between the five permanent members due to take place today in Geneva aimed at bringing their points of view closer together and effectively supporting the negotiations as they get underway.

Digital affairs – Development: Conference on digital transformation in Africa (Abidjan - November 28, 2017)

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Bruno N. Koné, Minister of Communications, the Digital Economy and the Postal Services of Côte d'Ivoire and Government Spokesperson, as well as Andrus Ansip, Vice-President of the European Commission, opened the conference on digital transformation in Africa on November 28, 2017, at the Institut français in Abidjan. The format of the conference consisted of five round tables focused in particular on issues relating to education, infrastructure and connected cities.

The conference in Abidjan follows on from the conference on the digital transition in October in Paris organized by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in partnership with the Ministry for the Economy and Finance and the magazine CIO-MAG.

The conference on digital transformation in Africa is taking place on the eve of the opening of the African Union - European Union summit which will be focused on youth. The digital initiatives backed by the ministry's operators will be presented at the conference, notably those carried out by the French Development Agency within the framework of the "Digital Africa" start-up competition.

In the first quarter of 2018, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs will present a "development and digital affairs" roadmap.