Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, received Augustine Mahiga, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tanzania, today.

Jean-Yves Le Drian and his interlocutor discussed the economic and political reforms underway in Tanzania. They discussed relations between the EU and Tanzania and prospects for the resumption of dialogue between the two parties.

Regional issues, notably the political situation in the Great Lakes Region, as well as our cooperation within the multilateral forums, were discussed.

The ministers took stock of our bilateral relations and our cooperation in the economic, cultural and academic fields. Jean-Yves Le Drian expressed France's determination to strengthen its ties with Tanzania, a great East African nation, which, over the course of its rich history, has been a center of stability and a source of inspiration in Africa.

European Union – Informal meeting of EU trade ministers (Bucharest - February 21-22, 2019)

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will visit Bucharest from February 21 to 22 to take part in the informal meeting of EU trade ministers.

During this meeting, the ministers will take stock of the EU's efforts to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO). The minister of state will reaffirm France's commitment to an open and rules-based multilateral trading system. He will reaffirm France's support for the ideas proposed by the EU on modernizing the WTO, its rules and its Dispute Settlement Body.

The ministers will also discuss the EU's trade relations with the United States and current talks relating to the road map of July 25, 2018. They will address two projects proposed by the European Commission on January 18 that offer a mandate for negotiations: one on compliance assessment, and the other on eliminating customs duties on industrial products. The minister of state will reiterate France's demands in this regard. The ministers will also review the preparations being made by the EU to respond to new unilateral U.S. measures that would run counter to the roadmap of July 25, 2018.

The ministers will also take a look at the status of current bilateral trade negotiations.

UN – Appointment of Inger Andersen to the UN Environment Programme (February 21, 2019)

Inger Andersen has been named executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

France congratulates Ms. Andersen, whose commitment and expertise on environmental issues was appreciated in her previous positions at the UN, the World Bank, and at the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

A historic partner of the UN Environment Programme, France will continue to work with Ms. Anderson to implement the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. It especially supports the UNEP's involvement in negotiating the Global Pact for the Environment, which will give the international community dynamic universal legal tools to better protect the environment.

Iraq

The SDF turned over 150 Daesh fighters to the Iraqi authorities in Baghdad and Erbil. That number included foreigners. In all, more than 500 fighters should be transferred. Are any French fighters on this list? What do you think of this option for dealing with foreign jihadists?

It is up to the Iraqi legal authorities to make a sovereign determination of the consequences to apply with respect to the presence of Daesh members on their territory.

As far as foreign terrorist fighters are concerned, France's position is clear: they must be tried wherever they committed their crimes.