Djibouti – Meeting between Jean-Yves Le Drian and his counterpart (Paris, 19 July 2018)

The meeting emphasized the longstanding and close bilateral relationship between France and Djibouti. It will provide an opportunity to further expand economic and commercial relations, which, since November 2017, have enjoyed the support of the France-Djibouti Business Group (GAFD). The ministers will also discuss strengthening the strategic partnership between our two countries centered on the security and defense cooperation treaty, as well as the ongoing presence of French forces stationed in Djibouti.

The ministers will bring up the new regional equation represented by the rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the important role that Djibouti must play in fostering this development.

Finally, the meeting will give France an opportunity to applaud Djibouti’s commitment to the stabilization of Somalia and its contribution to ending the crisis in Yemen, with the presence on its soil of the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) and its acceptance of many people who are fleeing the conflict.