Daily press briefing by Ministry Deputy Spokesperson

EUROPEAN UNION/UKRAINE

The 9 September European Union-Ukraine summit in Paris was attended by President Sarkozy as president of the European Council, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and the Minister of State for European Affairs, the President of the European Commission accompanied by the Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, by the Commissioner for External Trade, and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

Ukraine was represented by President Viktor Yushchenko accompanied by Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ogryzko, Minister of the Economy Bogdan Danylyshyn, Defence Minister Yuri Ekhanurov, Justice Minister Mykola Onishchuk and Energy Minister Yuri Prodan.

The summit resulted in significant gains for the future of relations between the EU and Ukraine. The EU and Ukraine decided to be linked from now on by an association agreement; the negotiations on this should be concluded in 2009.

The joint declaration adopted at the summit endorses the principles on which the strengthened partnership between the EU and Ukraine will be based. The future agreement will be an association pact as Kiev wished. Ukraine is recognized for the first time as a European country which shares a history and common values with the EU countries.

With regard to the movement of people, a major issue for Ukrainian citizens, the EU said it is ready to open a dialogue soon, that is without waiting for negotiations on the agreement to conclude, so as to consider the conditions necessary for establishing a long-term arrangement for visa exemptions.

The EU and Ukraine also decided to further their cooperation in several areas of mutual interest such as energy, transportation, judicial and home affairs, the CFSP and ESDP.

The crisis in Georgia was addressed in a joint declaration which reflects the very close alignment of views between the EU and Ukraine. President Sarkozy briefed President Yushchenko on the results of the mission he had just undertaken to Moscow and Tbilisi.

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MIDDLE EAST

Q. - What’s France’s reaction to the alarming news about the “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in Gaza? Is France going to take an initiative to get the civilian population out of the iron grip of Israel and Hamas on one side and the various Palestinian factions on the other?

France is paying very close attention to the development of the situation in Gaza. We’ve repeatedly expressed our concern about the humanitarian situation. We call for the restrictions on movement to be lifted and we condemn all forms of violence.

Let me remind you that in support of the mobilization of international donors at the Paris international donors’ conference and in view of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, France is providing financial support for medical and humanitarian actions in the Gaza Strip which we told you about in detail at the briefing on 10 July.

I also want to remind you that Rama Yade and Alain Joyandet are meeting today and tomorrow with UNRWA Commissioner-General Karen Abu Zayd.

In addition to her concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, France reaffirms her full support for the peace effort by President Abbas and his efforts to get inter-Palestinian dialogue re-started.

Q. - Are there differences among the EU countries about humanitarian initiatives to help Gaza which explain the paralysis of France who holds the EU presidency?

There are no differences and no paralysis. The EU, which is by far the leading donor to the Palestinian Territories, provides very substantial aid to the Palestinians, especially through the commitments made at the international donors’ conference in Paris on 17 December 2007, and a significant share goes to the population of Gaza.

The EU commitment is also evident in the establishment of the Pegase mechanism in 2008 in support of the three-year Palestinian reform and development plan. This new instrument broadens earlier provisions and ensures a flow of stable, predictable aid to the Palestinian Authority.

The unprecedented level and quick payment of contributions show the strength of EU mobilization to assist the population in Gaza.

LEBANON

Q. - France is encouraging Lebanon to begin indirect talks with Israel. The Lebanese President announced yesterday that there was no point in beginning talks for reasons having to do with international decisions as Lebanon is committed to the Arab initiative. What’s your reaction?

It is for the legitimate authorities in Lebanon to decide whether to hold talks or not.

France for her part is in favour of dialogue among the countries in the region and of everything that can foster stability and peace. She reiterates her commitment to stability along the blue line, respect for the cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of UNSCR 1701 in its entirety.

Q. - What’s your reaction to yesterday’s announcement by the Lebanese President that national dialogue will resume on 16 September?

We welcome this new phase in the implementation of the Doha Agreement and recall our full support for the Lebanese authorities and the Lebanese State’s exercise of its authority throughout its territory.

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GEORGIA

Q. - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has ruled out EU monitors in the Georgian separatist republics, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, saying they could be deployed around these territories “not inside them.” What’s your reaction? Do you confirm that European observers will be able to monitor inside the separatist territories without the prior permission of Russian forces?

The agreement obtained by the EU in Moscow and Tbilisi on 8 September, in accordance with the conclusions of the 1 September extraordinary European Council and the 12 August six-point plan, permits the establishment of a civil EU observer mission in the context of the CFSP.

Its aim will be to monitor the actions of the parties and to verify compliance with the provisions of the 12 August six-point plan. The mission will be coordinated with the OSCE and UN missions.

Each of the missions, UNOMIG and OSCE, is continuing to carry out its mandate in its areas of responsibility in accordance with the deployment plan as set out on 7 August and without prejudice to future adjustments.

The mandate of the EU mission is being worked out and is to be approved at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 September with a view to deployment on the ground by 1 October.

Q. - Russia has said that the agreements she’s just signed with South Ossetia and Abkhazia “directly mention provisions for access to her territory to deploy military installations there, including military bases obviously.” Does France see this being dangerous for the work of the monitors who are to be deployed in and around these territories?

We are sticking to the agreement on the implementation of the 12 August plan which all the parties must apply.

It provides in particular for the complete withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces from the areas adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia to their positions prior to the outbreak of hostilities.

FRANCE/SAUDI ARABIA

Q. - Can you tell us about the discussion the Minister had with his Saudi counterpart in Paris yesterday? Did the Saudi Minister meet M. Guéant? Can you tell us something about the content of the meeting?

Bernard Kouchner had a telephone conversation yesterday with his Saudi counterpart during which the two ministers discussed the regional crises.

The Minister confirmed to Prince Saud al-Faisal that he intends to visit Saudi Arabia soon in order to continue our consultations with the Saudi authorities.

I invite you to contact the Elysée about a meeting between the Saudi minister and the Secretary General of the Office of the President.

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