DECLARATION BY THE SPOKESPERSON OF FRENCH FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY

USPA NEWS - Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will participate in the Foreign Affairs Council by videoconference on March 23, 2020, which will be largely devoted to the European and international response to the COVID-19 crisis. .
Following on from the declaration by the G7 heads of state and government of March 16 and the European Council of March 17, 2020, France will advocate for a closely coordinated European approach to public health measures, returns European citizens, reduction of international contacts and movements and therefore closing of the external borders of the European area, protection of jobs and the economy, as well as in terms of cooperation in scientific research.

Following on from the declaration by the G7 heads of state and government of March 16 and the European Council of March 17, 2020, France will advocate for a closely coordinated European approach to public health measures, returns European citizens, reduction of international contacts and movements and therefore closing of the external borders of the European area, protection of jobs and the economy, as well as in terms of cooperation in scientific research.--------------------------------- Special attention will be given to the issue of consular assistance to European Union nationals in third countries, with the aim of convincing collectively the governments of third countries to keep their airspace open, in order to to allow return flights for European citizens. The ministers will also provide an update with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the international files on which the European Union is engaged: consequences of the Idlib crisis; Libya; situation in the Sahel."Official Statement Participation of Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian in the Foreign Affairs Council (by videoconference, March 23, 2020) Source : Foreign ministry fo Foreign Affairs.