LATEST NEWS AND STATEMENTS

• Afghanistan – Death of 5 international coalition personnel (08.04.13)

  We were deeply shocked to learn of the death of 5 international coalition personnel working in Afghanistan on Saturday, April 6, during an attack in Zabul Province.

• Afghanistan – Taliban attacks on a court in the town of Farah (03.04.13)

  The recurring attacks against the Afghan state, its representatives and its civilian population reaffirm the need to combat the scourge of terrorism.

• Afghanistan - Inter-Afghan closed academic seminar (Q&A - Excerpt from the daily press briefing - 13.12.12)

  This conference is not a negotiating forum but a framework for dialogue. Indeed, France believes that the Afghans are solely responsible for conducting the reconciliation process, with the support of the UN, following a mandate given by the Security Council.

• Afghanistan – Death penalty (22.11.12)

  France condemns the executions that took place in Afghanistan on 20 and 21 November. The executions came immediately after the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly, by a large majority, of a resolution calling for the establishment of a global moratorium on the death penalty. This adoption confirms the global trend towards the abolition of this cruel and inhuman punishment.

• Afghanistan – Attack (26.10.12)

  France expresses its profound shock following this barbaric act, which killed at least 42 people including 5 children, and extends its condolences to the Afghan people and to the families of the members of the Afghan security forces killed in this attack. It reaffirms its wholehearted solidarity with the Afghan authorities in the fight against violence.

• Afghanistan – Suicide attack in Nangarhar Province (05.09.12)

  The frequency of suicide attacks against the Afghan civilian population reaffirms the need to fight against the scourge of terrorism. In this respect, France reaffirms its wholehearted solidarity with the Afghan authorities and its determination to remain engaged alongside them in order to work toward stabilizing Afghanistan.

• Public execution of a woman in Afghanistan (11.07.12)

  France strongly condemns the public execution of a woman for adultery in Parwan province in Afghanistan. As the Afghan authorities have promised, full light must be shed on this crime, the perpetrators of which must be identified and brought to justice.

• Participation of the minister delegate for development in the Kabul Conference on Regional Security and Cooperation in the "Heart of Asia" (14.06.12)

  This conference is part of a process launched at the Istanbul conference on November 2, 2011, during which Afghanistan and the countries of the region pledged to take confidence-building measures in all areas likely to foster the stability and prosperity of this region, known as the “heart of Asia,” with the support of France and other members of the international community present at the launch of the Istanbul Process.

• Afghanistan – Announcement of the 3rd phase of the transition (14.05.12)

  France congratulates President Karzai and the Afghan government on these decisions which build on the Afghan president’s visit in January when the treaty of friendship and cooperation between our two countries was signed. These decisions also reflect the progress observed on the ground through the concerted action of the ISAF forces and the Afghan security forces.

• Qatar –Taliban representation (Q&A - Excerpt from the daily press briefing - 05.01.12)

  The Afghan government and all components of Afghan society seeking a peace agreement have wanted, for a long time now, to have a clearly identified Taliban interlocutor. The opening of the Taliban office in Qatar, if it is confirmed, could respond to this expectation, and constitute a step forward in the political process that should result in free presidential elections in 2014. President Karzai has agreed to the negotiations which will lead to the creation of this office.