Abidjan, 8 July 2009.... The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Y.J. Choi, on Wednesday received the new French Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, Jean-Marc Simon, in Abidjan.

After the meeting, Jean-Marc Simon said he had come to establish contact the head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI). He explained that it was important to exchange views with the Special Representative because France, like UNOCI, was heavily involved in the Ivorian peace process. He recalled that his country was willing to work very closely with UNOCI to advance the peace process. "We have similar responsibilities, which should constantly be harmonised. I think that together, with our friends the Ivorians, we can help bring an end to this crisis," he added.

Noting that the electoral process was one of the essential elements for a definitive resolution to the crisis, which should lead to the reunification of the country and the restoration of state authority throughout Côte d'Ivoire to one state, the Ambassador called for efforts to achieve this to be continued. "It is not easy to emerge from a crisis that has lasted so long. Many bad habits have developed and one must gradually make people see reason and re-establish the rule of law, peace and national harmony," he added.

With regards to relations between Côte d'Ivoire and France, he said that they were lonstanding, very solid and had weathered the storms that had occurred at certain difficult moments. "I think that it is on that foundation that anew relationship, a new partnership, has to be built," said Mr. Simon.