Conversation between M. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, and Mr Vladimir Putin, President of Russia – Communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic (3 January 2020)

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The French President spoke on the telephone to Russian President Vladimir Putin this morning.

The two presidents first took stock of the situation in Iraq and the region. They agreed to remain in close contact over the coming days to prevent a new and dangerous escalation of tensions and call on all the parties to show restraint. The French President reiterated France’s commitment to Iraq’s sovereignty and security and to the region’s stability. He emphasized the need for the guarantors of the 2015 agreement to remain closely coordinated in calling on Iran to return swiftly to full compliance with its nuclear obligations and refrain from any provocation. The French President stressed that the fight against Islamist terrorism is still the priority, and he reaffirmed his full commitment to the International Coalition against Daesh [so-called ISIL].

On Syria, the French President expressed his deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Idlib. He stressed the imperative need for all the Security Council’s member states to shoulder their responsibilities to ensure that the United Nations can address civilians’ needs by maintaining cross-border aid. The two presidents confirmed their shared desire to reach an agreement to this effect at the United Nations Security Council by 10 January 2020.

On the Russia-Ukraine crisis, President Macron once again welcomed the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine on 29 December, in accordance with the commitments made at the Paris summit in the Normandy format on 9 December. He stressed the need for all the measures officially endorsed at the summit to be implemented swiftly, particularly those on the political and security conditions with a view to organizing local elections.

On Libya, President Macron highlighted the risk of escalation linked to the increase in foreign military interference, and the need to consolidate international consensus at the Berlin conference with a view to finding a way out of the crisis through a return to the political process under the aegis of the United Nations. In this context, the President clearly condemned the maritime and security agreements recently signed by the GNA and all the decisions leading to an escalation. The President confirmed, in his view, the importance of inter-Libyan dialogue and a political process involving the regional players, and all Libya’s political stakeholders in particular.

Original version in French - translation by the French Embassy in London