The ministers discussed the following issues:
the situation in Russia following the imprisonment of opposition figure Alexei Navalny. The minister urged the EU to adopt a strong, united response that among other things takes into account support for civil society and the need to preserve channels of dialogue with Russia.
the Iranian nuclear issue. The minister underscored the troubling nature of the current situation and presented the results of the E3+U.S. meeting held in Paris on February 18.
the situation in Africa, especially in Ethiopia and the Sahel. In the wake of the N’Djamena summit on February 15-16, the minister called on his European partners to support the new political, diplomatic and development-related momentum in the Sahel.
Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will receive Bujar Osmani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, on February 23.
The minister will reaffirm France’s support for North Macedonia’s European prospects and its support in helping the country embark on the necessary reforms, especially with respect to the rule of law, which is at the heart of the European project. The reform of the accession process will help make this process more credible, attractive and reversible.
The minister will welcome the high quality of our bilateral relations, which fall within the framework of France’s strategy for the Western Balkans, and the intensification of our cooperation with North Macedonia, notably in the economic and security spheres.