Afghanistan - Participation of Mr Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne in the donor conference (Geneva, 24 November 2020)

Mr Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and Francophonie, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, represented France at the international donor conference for Afghanistan which took place on 24 November in Geneva; by videoconference. The aim was to renew the international community’s political and financial support to Afghanistan, at a key moment in the peace process and for the country’s future, while specifying the conditions of continued international assistance in support of its rebuilding and development.

During this conference, the Minister of State highlighted France’s support to the inter-Afghan peace process and called for the establishment of an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. He reiterated that France would maintain its assistance efforts for Afghanistan, depending on how the situation evolves, in accordance with the principle of conditionality of European aid to the country. Our political and financial support will be conditional upon compliance with key principles, especially the preservation of achievements made in human rights and fundamental freedoms since 2001. In this respect, we will be extremely vigilant of women’s rights. We will also be attentive to the continuity of republican institutions, compliance with Afghanistan’s international commitments to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and human trafficking, and the effective implementation of reforms in the fields of governance and the fight against corruption.