Guatemala – General elections (September 14, 2023)

France expresses its concern over the latest legal challenges aimed at overturning the general election results certified by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal on August 28, which France had commended.

France is troubled by the threat that these actions represent for the rule of law and democracy in that country.

France calls on all the Guatemalan authorities to abide by the results of these elections and the expressed will of the Guatemalan people.

Japan – Water from the Fukushima Daiichi plant (September 14, 2023)

France hails the ongoing dialogue with Japan in recent months concerning the release of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi plant into the sea.

France wishes to underscore Japan’s efforts to ensure that this operation is fully consistent with the highest nuclear safety and radioactivity standards in accordance with the report that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) submitted to the Japanese prime minister on July 4. It concluded that the discharges of the water would have “a negligeable radiological impact to people and the environment.”

France underscores the transparency shown by Japanese teams in their cooperation with the IAEA. It commends Japan’s willingness to continue taking this transparent approach in its cooperation with the agency and its regional partners. It reaffirms its support for the agency’s impartiality and technical expertise and for its continuous safety review during and after the discharge of the treated water.

A report on the release of treated water from the Fukushima-Daiichi plant into the sea was submitted to the Japanese prime minister on July 4. It concluded that the discharges of the water would have “a negligeable radiological impact on people and the environment.”

Thanks to the work by the IAEA, Japan and France have been engaged in an ongoing dialogue in recent months during which France was able to assess Japan’s efforts to ensure that this discharge operation is fully consistent with the highest nuclear safety and radioactivity standards.

France underscores the transparency shown by Japanese teams in their cooperation with the IAEA. It commends Japan’s willingness to continue taking this transparent approach in its cooperation with the agency and its regional partners.