Daily press briefing by Ministry Deputy Spokesperson
Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Deputy Spokesperson
(Paris, 6 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 )]
AWARD OF NOBEL PRIZE FOR MEDICINE TO FRANÇOISE BARRE-SINOUSSI, LUC MONTAGNIER AND HARALD ZUR HAUSEN: STATEMENT BY BERNARD KOUCHNER
“I am delighted to learn of the award of the Nobel Prize for medicine to our compatriots, Françoise Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier, and German researcher Harald Zur Hausen for their work on viruses.
“I want to offer them my warmest congratulations. The award is recognition of brilliant careers in medicine and research, and honours our country and the French and European scientific and medical community. Our compatriots’ work made a decisive contribution to mobilizing the international community to confront AIDS, in association with the individuals and communities affected and civil society.
“I am convinced that this prestigious honour will make many students want to embark on the collective adventure of medical research.
“It encourages the ambitions of France, Germany and Europe in research.”
GEORGIA/EU OBSERVER MISSION
The EU observer mission is pursuing its mission on the ground.
Yesterday morning one of its patrols helped remove a Russian forces checkpoint at Ali, at the western entrance to the area adjacent to South Ossetia.
The withdrawal is taking place in accordance with the 8 September agreement. It is an encouraging gesture.
Two other Russian checkpoints were due to be removed today, 6 October.
For 4 and 5 October, the EU mission was to have carried out a total of 28 patrols.
The EU presidency hails the work the EU monitors have done since 1 October.
ATTACK IN SRI LANKA
France condemns in the strongest possible terms this morning’s attack on offices of a political party in Anuradhapura, which once again struck civilians in Sri Lanka. She offers her condolences to the victims’ families and friends, and assures the Sri Lankan authorities and people of her sympathy.
France reiterates her condemnation of terrorism and insists on the need for a political solution in Sri Lanka so that all the Sri Lankan people may find peace and prosperity again.
MINISTER’S VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST (3-5 OCTOBER)
The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs visited the Palestinian Territories and Israel from 3 to 5 October. On the Palestinian side, he met President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki, negotiations chairman Abu Alka, and the head of the PLO’s negotiations department, Saeb Erekat. On the Israeli side, he met Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who’s responsible for forming the new government, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Likud leader Benyamin Netanyahou. He also paid a visit to Professor Zeev Sternhell to express solidarity after the attack on him.
In Jenin the Minister noted with satisfaction the evident progress made by the Palestinian Authority in maintaining security on the West Bank with the support of France and the European EUPOL-COPPS mission and in accordance with the commitments made in the roadmap. He also visited a hospital centre in the city which France is supporting financially in the context of the follow-up to the Paris conference for a Palestinian State.
The Minister again told Israel that it was necesary to freeze settlements and lift roadblocks so that improvement in the situation on the ground reinforces the support of public opinion for the Annapolis process and strengthens both sides in their resolve to reach a peace agreement.
Bernard Kouchner encouraged the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion as soon as possible. He repeated that the EU, in partnership with the other members of the Quartet, stands ready to help bring positions closer and to contribute in a practical way to the implementation of the peace agreement.
The Minister emphasized the interest of building regional peace and basing it on tangible mutual support as the Europeans did in the twentieth century.
(…)
FRANCE/SUDAN
Q. - Can you tell us about the current visit to Paris by a Sudanese government delegation and its meetings at the Foreign Ministry? Who is the delegation talking to? What questions will be addressed?
A delegation led by Nafie ali Nafie, adviser to Sudan’s President, will be received by the Minister today. The meeting will deal mostly with the situation in Sudan, including the crisis in Darfur. (…)./.