Daily press briefing by Ministry Deputy Spokesperson
Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Deputy Spokesperson
(Paris, 24 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 )]
IRAN/NUCLEAR ISSUE
Q. - What’s your reaction to the cancellation of the ministerial meeting of the Six at Russia’s request? Is it a sign of differences among the Six? Does the cancellation weaken the international pressure on Iran?
We would like the meeting to be held. This is also what the Minister told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in New York yesterday.
We are indeed convinced that the E3+3 format is relevant and logical for confronting the challenge of the Iran nuclear issue.
Talks among the Six are continuing in New York at the level of political directors.
PROLIFERATION SECURITY INITIATIVE (PSI)
Q. - Is the somewhat “exclusive” nature of the meeting of the operational experts group of the PSI and this position which seems to be a two-speed one well received by the 70 other members of the initiative? Can the press have a report of the meeting?
The States participating in the Proliferation Security Initiative are naturally kept informed of the content of the work of the operational experts group which brings together, as we said yesterday, the States most involved in the PSI.
We plan to give a full report of the meeting to the press once it is over.
GEORGIA
Q. - Russian media are suggesting that the European Union observer mission in Georgia could number as many as 340 monitors instead of the 200 announced. Do you confirm these new figures?
We confirm that the European Union observer mission in Georgia may number about 300 monitors, plus logistic support personnel, in accordance with the decisions taken at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 September.
The European Union is committed to deploying at least 200 monitors by 1 October.
The 8 September agreement between the European Union and Russia provides for the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from the areas adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia to the lines prior to the outbreak of hostilities within ten days of the deployment in these areas of international mechanisms, including at least 200 EU observers, with this deployment due to take place no later than 1 October.
LEBANON
Q. - Do you support Lebanon in her demand that the State of Israel compensate her for the ecological damage it caused in July 2006? The demand was made by the Lebanese President in New York yesterday following a UN report.
In 2006 and 2007 the United Nations General Assembly adopted two resolutions on the report of the second committee asking the Secretary-General for reports on the ecological effects of Israeli bombing in Lebanon in July 2006. The European Union supported both resolutions.
It is up to Lebanon to determine the next steps she wants to take in the appropriate UN bodies in response to the report presented at the General Assembly session which has just started.
EUROPEAN UNION/PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY
Q. - What are the key points to be addressed by the French EU presidency at the meeting of the troika in New York tomorrow? What place is going to be given to the peace process, European relations with the Palestinian Authority and regional questions?
European Affairs Minister of State Jean-Pierre Jouyet, Javier Solana, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, and External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner will meet with Palestinian Foreign Minister Ryad al-Malki for a troika-format meeting in New York on Thursday.
This meeting, which comes just a few days after the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting and on the eve of the Quartet meeting, will be used by the European Union, the leading donor to the Palestinian Territories, and the Palestinian Authority to review the cooperation arrangements that have been put in place to help strengthen Palestinian institutions. They will also examine ways of strengthening our political dialogue in the context of the EU neighborhood policy.
Also to be discussed is a stronger role for the European Union in the peace process at a time when it is essential to keep up the momentum of the negotiations begun at Annapolis with a view to establishing a viable, independent, democratic and fully sovereign Palestinian State living in peace and security side by side with Israel./.