Olivier Véran, thehe government spokesman was the guest of the 8:30 a.m. franceinfo Wednesday, November 9, 2022. Reception of the “Ocean Viking”, suspicions of conflict of interest for Agnès Pannier-Runacher and discussions between Emmanuel. Macron and Nicolas Maduro… He answered questions from Salhia Brakhlia and Marc Fauvelle.
Home of the “Ocean Viking”: “It’s up to Italy to welcome him”
The “Ocean Viking” boat is stuck at sea with 234 migrants on board. He was in southern Sicily on Wednesday morning, heading for France after being turned away in Italy. “There are extremely clear European rules which have moreover been accepted by the Italians, who are in fact the first beneficiaries of a European financial solidarity mechanism”recalls Olivier Véran. “This boat is intended to be welcomed in Italy. The current attitude of the Italian government (…) is unacceptable. We wish (…) that Italy plays its role and respects European commitments.”
The government spokesperson assures that “no one will let this boat run the slightest risk, especially for the people on board”while certifying that it is not yet time for France to open one of its ports to the “Ocean Viking”: “We still have a few hours of discussions left. [avec l’Italie]. We follow the situation minute by minute, hour by hour, in particular the Minister of the Interior.
Agnès Pannier-Runacher suspected of conflict of interest, her position as minister threatened? “I have no reason to think so”
Suspected of a conflict of interest, the place of Agnès Pannier-Runacher within the government is not threatened, according to Olivier Véran: “I have no reason to think so”says the government spokesman, without “have other comments to make”given that the Minister for Energy Transition has already reacted to the revelations of the investigative media Disclose.
Does France recognize Nicolas Maduro as President of Venezuela? “The objective of COP27 has no political color”
Emmanuel Macron has always refused to recognize Nicolas Maduro’s victory in Venezuela. It turns out that on the sidelines of the ongoing COP27 in Egypt, the head of state called him “President Maduro”. But that does not mean that France has changed its diplomatic mind on the subject, warns the government spokesperson. “The COP, by definition, is a global event that must bring together all the countries of the world around a goal”says Olivier Véran. “This goal has no political color, it is the planet. Being able to influence outside nations to ensure that the planet survives…”
Watch the interview in full: