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Daily Press Briefing Statements made by [Please note that only the original French text issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official.] ANNA LINDH FOUNDAITON
André Azoulay was elected president of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures in Brussels on March 5.
The minister sends his heartfelt congratulations to the new president and his warmest wishes for the success of his mission.
Established by the European Union member states and 12 Mediterranean states, the Anna Lindh Foundation is a vital element in dialogue and closer ties between Europe and the southern shore of the Mediterranean.
European Affairs Secretary Jean-Pierre Jouyet received on March 5 Polish Foreign Secretary Mikolaj Dowgielewicz who is head of the European integration committee.
At their meeting they discussed strengthening bilateral relations and our points of agreement in the context of preparation for the French presidency of the European Union: European immigration pact, common agricultural policy, security of energy supplies, action against global warming, strengthening the ESDP, the balanced re-launch of the EU/Russia partnership and EU/Ukraine relations.
Q - The French ambassador to Libreville was summoned Wednesday to Gabon’s Foreign Ministry to receive a protest note. Will this unheard-of episode in relations between the two countries lead to a French-Gabonese diplomatic crisis? What’s your answer to the Gabonese authorities on the two issues underlying their anger: the expulsion of Gabonese from France and the coverage on Bongo’s personal assets?
With regard to your first question, we’ve taken note of the concerns expressed by the Gabonese authorities with whom we have excellent relations. France signed an agreement with Gabon last July 5 concerning the management of migratory flows and co-development, and we intend to continue our bilateral dialogue on implementing it.
As for the second point you raised, this is a matter involving press freedom to which we are attached. With that said, we shall study the note we have received from the Gabonese authorities.
Q - Has the agreement on managing migratory flows and co-development that you signed with Gabon in July 2007 gone into force and did it apply in the expulsions cited by the Gabonese government?
The agreement with Gabon has not gone into force yet as France has not completed the ratification procedure.
Q - The Arab foreign ministers mentioned yesterday that they would withdraw the Arab peace initiative given that Israel’s ignoring it. Your comment?
We don’t yet know the results of the Arab League meeting.
Q - Do you think the Arab initiative is still the basis for negotiations on final status issues?
As we recalled after the Annapolis conference, we consider that for a just and lasting solution to be found to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the negotiations on final status will have to be based in particular on Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1515, the terms of reference of the Madrid Conference and the principles of the Arab peace initiative.
Q - A report published on Thursday, March 6, by a coalition of eight British nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) reveals that Israel’s blockade of Gaza has brought on the worst humanitarian crisis since 1967. The NGOs are urging negotiations with Hamas. What’s your reaction?
France is very concerned about the very critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s blockade is leading to the collective punishment of the civilian population. In addition the recent violence has led to over 120 deaths and many injured. Hospitals are overburdened and lack supplies.
France has decided to mobilize 200,000 euros as an emergency measure for the Palestinian medical NGO Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) in order to provide immediate support to the NGO’s health centers, specifically those in Jabaliya and Beit Lahia, located at the center of the incidents.
With regard to Hamas, it must show through concrete actions that it respects the principles guiding the peace process, foremost among them the renunciation of violence.
(…)
Q - Mr. Gambari is back from Rangoon. What are you expecting from his mission?
France fully supports Mr. Gambari’s good offices mission. The Burmese authorities must cooperate in good faith with him and take seriously into account his recommendations so as to begin a credible and inclusive process of national reconciliation. In this context we recall that Mr. Gambari must be able freely to set his program and obtain all the meetings he considers necessary./.
Embassy of France, March 6, 2008
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