Daily press briefing by Ministry Spokesperson
Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Spokesperson
(Paris, 1 October 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 )]
IHEDN / Latin America
The Institut des Hautes Etudes de Défense Nationale is holding its second international session devoted to Latin America at the Ecole Militaire in Paris on 2-9 October on the theme “Defence and security policies in Latin America.”
Some 30 high-level military and civilian participants from Latin America will be in attendance, representing 15 countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
The participants will share their thoughts on issues such as defence and domestic security (immigration, illegal trafficking, etc.), and challenges common to defence and the economy (energy, food, etc.). Recent developments in regional integration will also be discussed.
The session will illustrate the calibre of the relations that France maintains and wants to continue expanding with Latin America. […]
Georgia / EU Monitoring Mission
The EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia began its patrols this morning. Monitors have begun deploying in the areas adjacent to South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
The EU Presidency welcomes the launch of this mission, which demonstrates the EU’s resolve to engage on the ground in accordance with the 12 August agreement and 8 September implementation document negotiated by the EU Presidency.
It salutes the effectiveness of High Representative Javier Solana and his staff, and expresses its full confidence in mission chief Hansjorg Haber and his team in organizing the work on the ground. The deployment of these monitors at such short notice represents a success of the European security and defence policy.
This deployment should make it possible for the Russian forces deployed under the “additional security measures” provided by the 12 August agreement to withdraw within 10 days.
Financial Crisis
Q. - Can you confirm that the four European G8 countries are meeting in Paris with Mr Barroso and M. Trichet?
Its up to the President’s Office to confirm the date and format of this meeting, which was announced by the President./.