Excerpts from the daily press briefing by Romain Nadal, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Development spokesman (Paris, October 10th 2014) World Day against the Death Penalty – Mobilization of France’s diplomatic network (October 10, 2014) At 5:30 pm at the Quai d’Orsay, in the presence of Mr. Robert Badinter, Mr. Laurent Fabuis will bring the discussions held on the occasion of the 12th World Day against the Death Penalty to a close. He will notably launch an anti-death penalty slogan contest, which will be open to all French-speaking youth aged 12 to 18. World Day against the Death Penalty is organized by the National Council of Bars, the International Organization of La Francophonie and the association, Together against the Death Penalty. France is mobilized in support of the universal abolition of the death penalty. It pays tribute to the continuous efforts of human rights activists, NGOs and personalities committed to the universal abolition of the death penalty. At the UN, we are calling for a moratorium on executions, a key step toward the definitive abolition of the death penalty. France’s entire diplomatic network is mobilized in support of this goal. Numerous initiatives are taking place today on this issue in our embassies and cultural centers. Climate - World Summit of Regions for Climate (Paris, October 11, 2014) Mr. Laurent Fabius will participate on October 11 in the opening of the second day of the R20 - Regions of Climate Action event, founded in 2010 by Arnold Schwarzenegger, then Governor of California, with the support of the UN. Almost 400 participants are expected to attend, including government and regional representatives, major companies, investors, associations and the media. Following the Summit of Heads of State and Government on September 23 in New York, the mobilization of all actors is essential. The commitments made by the regions and civil society will complement and strengthen the universal climate agreement, which is our goal for the 2015 Paris Climate Conference. Gaza – Mr. Laurent Fabius’s participation in the donors’ conference (Cairo, October 12, 2014) On October 12 in Cairo, Mr. Laurent Fabius will co-chair the donors’ conference for Gaza, organized on the initiative of Egypt and Norway. During this conference, the international community will express its solidarity with the population of Gaza and its support for reconstruction and development. We hope that this conference will pave the way toward the swift resumption of indirect discussions in Cairo, in order to consolidate the ceasefire agreement of August 26. On the sidelines of the conference, Mr. Laurent Fabius will meet with his main partners to discuss the need to relaunch the peace negotiations in order to put the two-state solution into practice. Europe – Mr. Harlem Désir’s visit to Denmark (October 10, 2014) Mr. Harlem Désir, Minister of State for European Affairs, will today travel to Copenhagen. He will meet with Mr. Martin Lidegaard, Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss European issues, including the European growth and jobs agenda. He will also meet with Mr. Lars Gert Lose, Permanent Secretary of State and European Affairs Advisor. Mr. Harlem Désir will visit the Green Light House, a green academic building, together with Ms. Lykke Friis, Vice-Chancellor and former Minister for Climate, Energy and Equal Rights. On this occasion he will discuss climate issues, a few days ahead of the European Council devoted to this topic, while our country will host the 2015 Paris Climate Conference next year. Mr. Harlem Désir will also meet with Danish journalists as well as economic policy-makers, including foreign trade advisors. Annick Girardin’s visit to Washington on the occasion of the World Bank and FMI Annual Meetings (Washington, October 10 to 12, 2014) Ms. Annick Girardin, Minister of State for Development and Francophony, will visit Washington from October 10 to 12 in order to participate in the World Bank and FMI Annual Meetings. Ms. Annick Girardin will notably meet with Mr. Jim Kim, President of the World Bank, together with Mr. Michel Sapin, Minister of Finance and Public Accounts. She will participate in the Development Committee meeting devoted to energy issues and the fight against poverty. She will also exchange views on financing for development with researchers and NGO leaders. Ms. Girardin’s meetings will focus on the impact of the Ebola epidemic and the links between development and climate issues, a few weeks ahead of the Lima Climate Change Conference and in preparation for the 2015 Paris Climate Conference. Foreign Trade – Mr. Matthias Fekl’s participation in the Paris Motor Show (Paris, October 10, 2014) This afternoon, Mr. Matthias Fekl, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad, will attend the Paris Motor Show, the largest motor show in the world, which had more than 1.2 million visitors during its most recent edition in Paris in 2012. The car industry is France’s largest private-sector employer in the manufacturing sector and is key to French exports, which are based on recognized expertise, notably with respect to electric vehicles. Central African Republic – Death of a Pakistani officer from MINUSCA (Bangui, October 9, 2014) France condemns yesterday’s attack that killed a Pakistani officer from the UN Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and injured several soldiers serving with the Pakistani and Bangladeshi contingents. We extend our condolences to the victim’s family as well as the Pakistani authorities and pay tribute to the courage of the Pakistani and Bangladeshi soldiers. The perpetrators of this attack must not go unpunished. France pays tribute to the crucial commitment of the UN mission, supported by the European force EUFOR and the French operation, Sangaris. Given the renewed violence in Bangui over the last few days, we call for the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement signed in Brazzaville on July 23 and for the speeding up of efforts to encourage national reconciliation, the demobilization of armed groups and preparations foAr elections. The only way to restore stability in the Central African Republic is through a political process.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 21:24:41 +0000
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