Western Balkans – Appointment of a Special Envoy for the Western Balkans (September 29, 2023)

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs appointed René Troccaz to serve as special envoy for the Western Balkans. His appointment is in line with France’s stepped-up involvement in the region against the backdrop of the Western Balkans’ rapprochement with the EU, which we support.

The special envoy will be involved in the most important regional policy issues, in coordination with his European and American counterparts. He will also monitor regional cooperation initiatives, particularly the Berlin Process, and will be able to represent France at high-level ceremonial events and forums.

Vietnam – Sentencing of Hoang Thi Minh Hong (September 29, 2023)

France is deeply concerned by the conviction and sentencing of Hoang Thi Minh Hong, the environmental activist and founder of the advocacy group CHANGE, to three years’ imprisonment. France was already alarmed by her arrest on May 31. We will raise her case during upcoming discussions with the Vietnamese authorities.

France reiterates the importance it attributes to the fight against climate change and the preservation of biodiversity, to which civil society can make an active contribution.

Pakistan – France utterly condemns terrorist attacks on religious processions (September 29, 2023)

France utterly condemns the terrorist attacks that targeted religious processions in several Pakistani provinces, killing more than 50 people and leaving dozens injured.

France offers its condolences to the bereaved and its best wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were injured. It stands with the Pakistani people at this difficult time.

Q&A

Does France have any comment on Pinar Selek’s new trial in Turkey?

France is very closely following the legal proceedings against French-Turkish sociologist Pinar Selek. The Consulate General in Istanbul will have a representative at the trial, as it did last time.

France is committed to research freedom and stresses that Turkish courts have on several occasions already found Pinar Selek to be innocent of the things she is accused of today.

Ms. Selek enjoys the academic protection of Côte d’Azur University and the protection of the French State on our national territory. In our country she has found a space where she can express herself, teach sociology and political science, and continue her research freely and safely.

Civil society organizations are worried about a halt to public assistance for development in the Sahel, especially that of a humanitarian nature, which would chiefly penalize vulnerable populations. Do you have any comment?

The suspension of our development assistance does not affect humanitarian projects. Those were on the order of €58 million in 2022 for the three Sahel countries, where we stand by the populations that are being affected by the rapid breakdown of security conditions.