Germany – Poland – Visit by Laurence Boone, Minister of State for Europe (May 11-12, 2023)

Laurence Boone, Minister of State for Europe, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, traveled to Berlin yesterday to meet with her German counterpart, Minister of State for Europe and Climate Anna Lührmann. The two ministers received an update from the members of the French-German working group of experts on EU institutional reforms, which was established following the Franco-German Council of Ministers on January 23. Ms. Boone and Ms. Lührmann then traveled to the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) for a discussion with students on French and German perspectives on the future of Europe, as part of Viadrina’s Europe Week.

Today Ms. Boone and her German colleague are traveling to Poznań, Poland, for a Weimar format meeting with their Polish counterpart, Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk. The three European affairs ministers will discuss Europe’s united stance on support for Ukraine amid Russia’s war of aggression. To mark Europe’s solidarity with Ukraine, the ministers invited Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, to join this Weimar Triangle meeting for the first time. Issues related to EU enlargement and institutional reforms are also on the agenda.

Sudan – Signing of Declaration of Commitment (May 12, 2023)

France welcomes the Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan signed by representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces. It reiterates that these commitments to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid are legal obligations for both parties under international humanitarian law.

France calls on the parties to commit without undue delay to a lasting ceasefire that is fully and effectively respected on the ground in order to facilitate the establishment of humanitarian corridors and ensure the safety of civilians still located in combat zones.

France commends the talks under way in Jeddah since May 6 under the auspices of the United States and Saudi Arabia, as well as the mobilization of all regional and international partners, specifically the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Arab League and the member states of these organizations.

France stresses that restoring peace in Sudan can only occur if all Sudanese stakeholders are brought into the process. It calls on the parties to include all Sudanese political forces and civil society organizations in the discussions in order to achieve a lasting ceasefire and a political resolution of the crisis.

Iran

Can you confirm that French-Irish national Bernard Phelan, who was being detained in Iran, was pardoned and released? Is he already back in Europe? What can you tell us about his health?

We refer you to today’s statement by the Minister.