Daily press briefing by Ministry Deputy Spokesperson

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FRANCE/KYRGYZSTAN

Foreign Minister Ednan Kabarayev of the Kyrgyz Republic made a working visit to France on 17 September on the occasion of the European Union-Central Asia forum on security issues.

He was received by Foreign and European Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner. The meeting focused on the strengthening of our bilateral relations, the implementation of the European Union strategy for Central Asia and international issues, particularly the situation in Afghanistan. M. Kouchner expressed France’s gratitude to the Kyrgyz Republic which hosts a French air unit on its territory in the context of our military engagement in Afghanistan.

The ministers adopted a joint statement emphasizing the wish of both countries to strengthen their economic and trade relations, promote investments, foster cultural exchanges and increase cooperation in human rights and the fight against terrorism and smuggling.

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DECLARATION BY THE PRESIDENCY ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION FOLLOWING THE REPORT ISSUED BY THE IAEA DIRECTOR GENERAL ON IRAN’S NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES

“The European Union thanks the IAEA Director General and his team for the report of 15 September which shows the efforts made by the Agency to shed light on Iran’s nuclear activities.

“The European Union regrets that Iran is refusing to suspend its sensitive nuclear activities, in contravention of Security Council and IAEA Board of Governors resolutions, and is not providing the IAEA with the cooperation which the IAEA has requested in order to answer the outstanding questions listed in its reports.

“The European Union shares the IAEA Director General’s "serious concern" as Iran fails to answer questions on possible activities relating to the design and manufacture of nuclear weapons.

“The EU calls on Iran to comply with UNSC resolutions 1696, 1737, 1747 and 1803 and, in particular, to suspend its sensitive activities to allow for the opening of negotiations. It reaffirms its support for the proposals put to Iran by the EU Secretary General/High Representative in June 2006 and further developed in the revised offer put to Iran on 14 June 2008. It remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear question without delay and reaffirms its firm commitment to the two-track approach.”

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENCY ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE ATTACKS IN YEMEN

“The Presidency of the Council of the European Union strongly condemns the attack in front of the US embassy in Sanaa on 17 September that killed over ten people.

“It conveys its condolences to the victims’ families and loved-ones and assures the Yemeni and US authorities of its solidarity at this difficult time.

“The Presidency of the Council of the European Union reiterates its full support for the Yemeni authorities in the fight against terrorism.”

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENCY ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE RESUMPTION OF NATIONAL DIALOGUE IN LEBANON

“The Presidency of the Council of the European Union welcomes the resumption of national dialogue in accordance with the Doha Agreement. It expresses its full confidence in and support for President Suleiman in the conduct of this dialogue between all the parties.

“It recalls that dialogue is the only possible means of strengthening peace and stability in Lebanon and condemns, in this context, the new acts of violence committed in north Lebanon.

“It welcomes the parties’ agreement to prioritize dialogue on national defence strategy, and within this framework, the central role of the state and the Lebanese armed forces.”

SRI LANKA

France expresses her concern following the Sri Lankan authorities’ request for international humanitarian organizations to leave the areas in the north of the country affected by the fighting.

France emphasizes the vital role played by humanitarian workers and reaffirms her concerns about the situation of civilians.

We call on the parties to the conflict to respect the fundamental principle of international humanitarian law, the distinction between combatants and noncombatants, as well as human rights.

In the face of the large numbers of civilians displaced by the recent fighting in the north and east of Sri Lanka, it is essential to maintain humanitarian access to the population.

France recalls that the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 12 December 2007 calls on States and parties to the conflict to ensure the security of humanitarian personnel.

SUDAN/ICC

Q. - France’s permanent representative to the UN said yesterday that Paris might support a suspension of the proceedings started by the International Criminal Court against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Can we know the conditions and reasons for this move? (…)

I will reiterate France’s position which we state constantly.

France is committed to seeing the proceedings in the International Criminal Court follow their course.

With regard to the decisions already taken by the ICC, which has issued arrest warrants for Messrs Haroun and Kushayb, we ask the Sudanese authorities to respect their international obligations.

What our ambassador to the United Nations said yesterday concerned more broadly what is expected of the Sudanese authorities to bring about the conditions for resolving the crisis in Darfur./.