French presidency of the UN Security Council - Statement by the minister of foreign affairs (December 2, 2013)

France assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council for one month on December 1. On this occasion, I stated that I wanted France to implement a program focused on 4 priorities.

Given the seriousness of the situation in the Central African Republic, which may implode, the international community should lend its immediate support to the African force (MISCA [AFISM-CAR]). We’re taking action to ensure that the Security Council adopts a resolution to that end in the next few days.

Syria remains at the heart of our concerns. Beyond its tireless efforts to find a political solution, France is mobilized to improve the situation of the people who have been suffering for too long. Security Council consultations, led by Ms. Amos, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, will take place next week in order to consider possible courses of action for responding to the humanitarian emergency.

The murder of our two compatriots, RFI journalists Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, reminded us of the risks facing those who keep us informed every day. Protecting the freedom to inform and be informed is essential. That’s why I wanted the Security Council to hold a meeting that will be open to civil society and the press on December 13 in order to raise the international community’s awareness of the issue of the protection of journalists.

Lastly, drug trafficking is a major cause of instability, notably in West Africa and the Sahel. In order to support the states of the region in the face of this scourge, I wanted France to host a debate at the Security Council on December 18 aimed at mobilizing the international community’s efforts to combat this phenomenon.