Daily press briefing by Ministry Spokesperson
Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Spokesperson (excerpts)
(Paris, 4 September 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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CYPRUS/LAUNCH OF NEGOTIATIONS ON REUNIFICATION
Following the meeting at which President Christofias and the head of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr Talat, launched comprehensive negotiations to reunite Cyprus, France welcomes the process that is getting under way and offers her full support.
She hails the desire expressed by the two community leaders to reach a solution, with UN support, that would end the division of the island, to the benefit of all Cypriots.
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EU/US
Q. - Can you confirm that France, as EU president, asked Portugal to prepare a document offering guidelines on EU-US relations, to be discussed by the 27 EU Member States?
The Portuguese Foreign Minister, Luis Amado, wrote to the Slovenian Presidency in May concerning transatlantic relations and raised this question at the Council for General Affairs and External Relations on 22 July.
During the Gymnich, the presidency will propose that the ministers work together on the future of relations between the EU and the US, notably with respect to the resolution of major regional crises and the main global challenges.
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MARITIME PIRACY/GULF OF ADEN
Q. - Do you have any more information on the seizure of the yacht in the Gulf of Aden and the fate of the two Frenchmen being held captive?
We are continuing our efforts to obtain the release of our two fellow countrymen as soon as possible.
Our personnel are fully mobilized, be it at the crisis centre of the Foreign and European Ministry, other relevant departments, or our embassies in the region.
You will understand that in this kind of situation, beyond the factual elements given yesterday, a certain discretion is necessary for the very security of our compatriots.
We will however be stepping up our efforts to fight maritime piracy at the international level.
In line with the initiatives France took at the UN Security Council with several of her partners to institute the security of World Food Programme ships through Operation Alcyon and, more broadly, to coordinate international efforts in the fight against maritime piracy, we, together with Spain, presented proposals at the end of June for a European action against piracy. A decision by the 27 EU Member States in this regard should be taken in the coming days./.