Daily press briefing by Ministry Spokesperson

DECLARATION BY THE PRESIDENCY ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE TRANSFER OF MR RADOVAN KARADZIC TO THE ICTY

The European Union welcomes the transfer of Mr Radovan Karadzic to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague.

The arrest by the Serbian authorities of Mr Radovan Karadzic and his subsequent transfer represent a significant step in the process of reconciliation in the Western Balkans and in Serbia’s rapprochement in Europe. The European Union urges Serbia to continue on this course and to locate the last two indictees who are still at large and transfer them to The Hague.

The trial before the ICTY of Mr Karadzic, who is charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, will contribute to revealing the truth and will fulfill a duty to provide justice for the victims and their families.

The European Union expresses its support to the ICTY for the necessary and exemplary work it is performing in the service of international justice.

EU/CENTRAL ASIA

Jean-Pierre Jouyet, the French Minister of State responsible for European Affairs, was in Uzbekistan on 28 and 29 July for a regional meeting of the European Union Heads of Mission in Central Asia . The meeting focused on challenges relating to energy, the management of hydraulic resources and regional security ahead of forthcoming meetings under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union on the region, notably the first EU-Central Asia Forum on Security Issues, to be held in Paris on 18 September.

This was the first visit by a member of the French government in 15 years, and particularly since the events of Andijan in May 2005 that resulted in many victims. At the time, the EU condemned the excessive, disproportionate and blind use of force by Uzbek security organizations and asked Tashkent to establish an independent international inquiry. Following the Uzbek authorities’ refusal, the EU took the decision to apply sanctions.

A year later, Uzbekistan decided to engage in a dialogue on human rights and authorized the visit of a panel of European experts to examine the Andijan events.

Relations with Uzbekistan today fall within the framework of the European Union’s Strategy for Central Asia , adopted by the European Council in June 2007. France and Germany are co-chairing the “Rule of Law” initiative designed to strengthen efforts on legal cooperation, notably with the implementation of programmes to train judges and police officers. While progress on human rights, hailed by the EU, has been made in 2008, with the elimination of the death penalty, the introduction of habeas corpus and the release of seven human rights activists, the situation of human rights activists remains troubling.

In order to emphasize our attention to developments in this situation, M. Jouyet met Mutabar Tajibaeva, director of the Burning Hearts Club human rights organization. Ms Tajibaeva was arrested after the Andijan events, convicted in 2006 and released conditionally on 2 June. M. Jouyet pledged to do everything in his power to ensure that Ms Tajibaeva receives the necessary medical care and can receive the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders that is to be bestowed upon her at the end of the year.

With the Uzbek Foreign Minister, Vladimir Norov, M. Jouyet also discussed the expansion of relations between the EU and Uzbekistan with a view to re-examining in October the sanctions against that country. He recalled the expectations expressed by the EU in that regard last April.

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MIDDLE EAST

Q. - What’s your reaction to the communiqué by the “Islamic Resistance” in Lebanon that denounces Israel’s repeated violations of the Blue Line by land, air and sea and issues an appeal to the Lebanese authorities and the international community? […]

France calls for the implementation of UNSCR 1701 in its entirety. The preservation of stability in South Lebanon is essential and it is important for all parties to avoid doing anything that might contribute to heightening tensions.

WESTERN SAHARA

[…]

As you know, by unanimously adopting UNSCR 1813 last April, the Security Council asked the parties to pursue negotiations under the aegis of the UN Secretary-General without preconditions and in good faith. It also called on the parties to show realism and a spirit of compromise in order to allow negotiations to enter a more intensive, substantial phase.

We believe it is high time to find a realistic solution that is acceptable to all parties, within the UN framework.

We support the process initiated in Manhasset to achieve a political outcome negotiated by the parties to the Western Sahara question. There must be an end to a situation that is unacceptable to the people there, notably those in refugee camps. A continued deadlock is in no one’s interest.

BURKINA FASO/COTE D’IVOIRE

Q. - Do you have any comment on yesterday’s signature of a friendship and cooperation treaty between Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire?

We welcome yesterday’s signing in Ouagadougou of a friendship and cooperation treaty between Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. This initiative is evidence of the normalization of relations between those two countries in the crucial context of the process ending the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire , and it is a step towards easing tensions in the region.

We would like to pay tribute to President Blaise Compaoré who, as a facilitator of the inter-Ivorian dialogue, made it possible to revive this process

We reiterate our attachment to the implementation of the political agreement signed in Ouagadougou in March 2007, as well as the preparation of presidential elections in Côte d’Ivoire./.