UN – Conversation between Catherine Colonna and UN Secretary-General António Guterres (08 Jun. 2022)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna spoke by phone yesterday with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

They primarily discussed the situation in Ukraine and its consequences for international security. The minister reaffirmed France’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This support primarily takes the form of humanitarian, economic, financial, diplomatic and military assistance to Ukraine, which we have decided to step up and maintain over the long term.

France continues to call upon Russia to comply with its international commitments, cease its aggression and withdraw its armed forces. Ms. Colonna and Mr. Guterres discussed at length the negotiations conducted under the auspices of the secretary-general to resume grain and fertilizer exports blocked by the Russian-launched war, as well as all of the emergency and solidarity mechanisms to be implemented with regard to food security.

Ms. Colonna addressed the situation in the Sahel and collective efforts to combat terrorism in the region. She praised ECOWAS efforts in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea while emphasizing her concern over the rise in atrocities against civilians in Mali and repeated attempts to manipulate information in that country. She expressed her support for MINUSMA, whose mandate will soon be renewed by the UN Security Council and whose peacekeepers are paying a heavy toll to stabilize Mali and protect civilians.

As for Syria, the minister reiterated France’s commitment to the Syrian people, their country and its region, and confirmed France’s pledge to disburse €373 million in assistance for 2022.

France is a major partner of the UN as a permanent member of the Security Council, one of its leading financial contributors and host to many UN organizations. The minister reiterated France’s deep commitment to multilateralism and to defending the goals and principles of the UN charter. The minister and the secretary-general agreed to work closely together for that purpose.