Daily press briefing by Ministry Deputy Spokesperson
Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Deputy Spokesperson (excerpts)
(Paris, 11 August 2008)
[Please note that only the original French text issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official. (http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr )]
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GEORGIA
Q. - The Minister said: “President Saakachvili has accepted nearly all the proposals we made to him.” Can you tell us what he didn’t accept?
Yesterday evening in Tbilisi, the Minister presented the Georgian President with the following elements of a plan to end the crisis:
an immediate cessation of hostilities;
the withdrawal of Russian and Georgian armed forces to the positions they held at the time hostilities broke out;
full respect for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity;
provision of international support;
access to humanitarian aid for all victims.
This plan is now being discussed with the Russian authorities.
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STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE ATTACKS IN ALGERIA
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union condemns the bomb attacks in Algeria this weekend, which killed several people in the Boumerdès region and injured many others in Tigzirt.
It reaffirms its full and complete support for the Algerian people and government in their fight against the scourge of terrorism. The Presidency conveys its condolences to the victims’ families and loved-ones as well as to the Algerian authorities and assures Algeria of its solidarity at this difficult time.
SERBIA
Q. - Will M. Kouchner travel to Belgrade on 13 August? If not, when will the visit take place. What will the main topics of discussion be during his trip to Belgrade and how long will he stay in Serbia?
The Minister is still scheduled to travel to Belgrade on 13 August.
This is a working visit in the context of the trusting relationship we have with the new Serbian government. During this trip, discussions will of course cover all of the subjects concerning the region and relations between Serbia and the EU.
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IRAN
Q. - Can you confirm that Iran pledged again on Monday to continue talks with Javier Solana and the EU on the nuclear issue? Do you have any comment on that information?
It is up to the High Representative for the CFSP to confirm that information. Let me remind you that France and her partners of the Group of Six stand ready for a constructive dialogue with Iran .
We call on the Iranian authorities once again to comply with international law and to give a positive response to the repeated demands of the UN Security Council./.