Official speeches and statements - March 5, 2018

1. Russia - Syria - Telephone conversation between M. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, and Mr Vladimir Putin, President of Russia - Communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic (Paris, 05/03/2018)

The President had another telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart this afternoon about the situation in Syria and Eastern Ghouta in particular.

He stated the need for Russia to take genuine, concrete steps to get the Syrian regime, which owes its survival to Russia, unambiguously agrees on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2401 and immediately halts the indiscriminate bombing and besieging of civilians.

Noting the armed opposition groups’ acceptance of the humanitarian truce and the insufficient nature of the five-hour humanitarian "pause" decided on by Russia, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that humanitarian convoys must be capable of being sent, without hindrance and without any further delays, to all the people needing them, as stipulated by the UN Security Council resolution passed by all its permanent members.

Pointing out that no evacuation of injured and sick people has been authorized by the regime at this stage, and that the ceasefire is not being observed, he called on Russia to shoulder all its responsibilities to demonstrate the full credibility of its commitments./.

2. Iran - Syria - Telephone conversation between M. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, and Mr Hassan Rouhani, President of Iran - Communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic (Paris, 04/03/2018)

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke today, Sunday, to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

During the telephone conversation, the French President strongly urged his interlocutor to exert the necessary pressure on the Syrian regime to end indiscriminate attacks on the besieged population of Eastern Ghouta, allow humanitarian access and evacuate people in a critical condition.

The French President stressed Iran’s special responsibility, in view of its links with the regime, for the implementation of the humanitarian truce provided for by UN Security Council Resolution 2401.

The two presidents signalled their agreement to work together operationally in the coming days to obtain with the UN - in liaison with the Damascus regime and the main countries engaged in Syria - results on the ground, deliver the necessary aid to civilians and make the ceasefire effective. This is a priority for France. The French President will take stock again of the concrete progress in this discussion with his Iranian counterpart this week.

The French President reaffirmed to President Rouhani France’s commitment to the Vienna agreement of 14 July 2015 on the nuclear programme, and to its strict implementation. He reiterated France’s demands about problems which are not covered under the agreement but demand clear responses from Iran, in particular concerns linked to Iran’s ballistic programme and regional security issues, particularly in Lebanon.

He emphasized that we expect Iran to contribute constructively to regional de-escalation and the resolution of crises in the Middle East.

The French President and President Rouhani are agreed that all these issues will be raised during Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian’s visit to Tehran on Monday 5 March./.