The Daily Press Briefing

Statements made by
the Ministry for Europe
and Foreign Affairs
Spokesperson


Paris - December 14, 2018
In this issue:

◢  Slovakia – Meeting between Jean-Yves Le Drian and his counterpart, Miroslav Lajcak (Paris - December 13, 2018)

◢  Central African Republic – Renewal of MINUSCA's mandate (December 13, 2018)

◢  Togo

 
Slovakia – Meeting between Jean-Yves Le Drian and his counterpart, Miroslav Lajcak (Paris - December 13, 2018)

Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs received his Slovak counterpart, Miroslav Lajcak, on December 13.

The ministers reaffirmed our two countries' attachment to strong and effective multilateralism. While Slovakia will chair the Visegrad Group until 2019, the minister reaffirmed our shared commitment to the European project and the strengthening of economic and social convergence within the eurozone.

In the run-up to the Slovak presidency of the OSCE in 2019, Jean-Yves Le Drian signaled that France would lend its support to Slovakia and expressed our desire to maintain close dialogue on issues relating to European security, Ukraine and the Western Balkans.

Jean-Yves Le Drian and his counterpart took stock of our bilateral relations, which fall within the framework of a strategic partnership established in 2008, notably in the areas of defense, transport and energy. 400 subsidiaries of 220 French groups are located in Slovakia and employ 30,000 people.



Central African Republic – Renewal of MINUSCA's mandate (December 13, 2018)

France welcomes the adoption yesterday of UNSCR 2448 renewing, for one year, and strengthening the mandate of the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

In the current security context, the Security Council will maintain the number of peacekeepers authorized to be deployed to the Central African Republic (CAR) and allow MINUSCA to continue to take a strong and proactive approach to protecting the civilian populations from the threat posed by armed groups.

This resolution strengthens MINUSCA's role in supporting the political process within the framework of the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR. The international community is therefore providing increased support to this African Union-led initiative, which is the only direct and inclusive dialogue process between the Central African Republic's government and the armed groups, and which may lead to a comprehensive peace agreement.

The Security Council also authorizes MINUSCA to provide additional support, notably including logistical support, to the Central African Republic's armed forces to help them gradually redeploy across the country in order ensure the security of the local populations.



Togo

The Togolese press is reporting that an election observation mission made up of French parliamentarians will be sent to Togo to monitor the parliamentary elections scheduled to take place on December 20. Can you confirm that France has planned to send an observation mission?

France is concerned about the current situation in Togo. We condemn the violence that plunged the country into mourning at the end of last week.

The French government is not planning to form or appoint an election observation mission to monitor the parliamentary elections in Togo on December 20.

France supports the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to achieve a negotiated solution to the political crisis and stands ready to support any initiative that may contribute to finding a consensus-based solution.


France in the
United States
Embassy of France in Washington, D.C.
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