Georgia
France reaffirms its commitment to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity (August 7, 2024)

Sixteen years after the Russian aggression against Georgia, France reaffirms its full commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. France emphasizes that the unilateral recognition of the self-proclaimed authorities of the occupied separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the militarization of these regions, as well as obstacles placed in the way of their relations with the rest of Georgia, are unacceptable violations of international law.

France calls on Russia to fully implement the commitments it made on August 12 and September 8, 2008. In addition, France reaffirms its support for the Geneva International Discussions (GID) platform co-chaired by the EU, the OSCE, and the UN. This forum for discussion alone will allow the parties to work toward a shared solution.

Alongside its European partners, France will continue to back the work of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, as well as support Georgia’s European path and sovereignty.

Israel / Palestinian Territories (August 7, 2024)

France expresses its profound consternation regarding the disgraceful remarks made by the Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who stated that to “cause two million civilians to die of hunger… might be justified and moral” in order to free the hostages in Gaza. France calls on the Israeli government to firmly condemn these unacceptable remarks.

France reiterates that Israel must comply with the order handed down by the ICJ on January 26, 2024, and take all necessary measures to that effect.

France reiterates that providing humanitarian aid to two million civilians whose situation is absolutely urgent in a blockaded territory where Israel controls all the access points constitutes an obligation under international humanitarian law, as was stated once again by the International Court of Justice. France also reiterates that the situation in Palestine has been referred to the International Court of Justice. Moreover, the International Criminal Court Prosecutor, Karim Khan, reiterated that impeding relief supplies may constitute a crime within the ICC’s jurisdiction.

Given the risk of regional destabilization and the unacceptable death toll, now it is more urgent than ever that a ceasefire be finalized in order to allow for the release of all the hostages, including two French citizens, the end to the Gazans’ suffering, and the large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid.