Today's Date:

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GERMANY/EUROPEAN DEFENCE/CFSP

THE MINISTER – As you know, France has decided to start bringing her defence effort up to what it should be not only for the security of her citizens, but also the security of Europe and world peace. We live in a dangerous world which is seeing a growing number of regional conflicts and in which terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are assuming worrying proportions. We Europeans have the duty to guarantee our common security and autonomy in decision-making if we want Europe to play its role in the world, in a genuine partnership with our allies, particularly the Americans. The 2003-2008 military estimates act, approved in January by Parliament, has given concrete substance to President Chirac and the government’s strong determination. However, there are still shortcomings at European level. Consequently, the building of Defence Europe is a priority goal since, as President Chirac reiterated on 16 April in Athens, we need the progress on the European defence policy, which has been considerable, to enable us to create the optimum conditions to implement a common foreign policy. We have to be aware of this and be ready to agree to the necessary efforts. Europe will be able to make itself heard only if it has the adequate military capabilities. Only then will it be able to command respect for its values and interests.

FRANCE/UK/DEFENCE

THE MINISTER – France and Britain are the two countries with the largest military budgets. The momentum given by the Saint-Malo summit, reaffirmed at the Le Touquet summit on 4 February this year, is important for building Defence Europe. In particular, we share with our British partners the conviction that Europe must give itself stronger defence capabilities so that it can fully shoulder its responsibilities. Here, progress this year has been particularly significant, which shows that our difference of opinion on Iraq hasn't weakened our common determination to build together a European defence. On 1 January 2003, the European Union took over from the UN the police operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and on 31 March took over from the NATO Stabilization Force in Macedonia. I'd also like to stress that France, Germany and the United Kingdom are jointly supporting the EU's proposal to take over militarily from NATO in Bosnia at the beginning of next year. In the arms sphere we have, with the United Kingdom as with Germany, some major cooperative programmes, for example the A400M and Meteor missile and there is, of course, no way these are going to be called into question. We are also pursuing our discussions on the possibility of Franco-British cooperation on building the second aircraft carrier.

THE MINISTER – France and the United States are not just allies but friends whose very strong ties go back to the end of the eighteenth century. Our friendship is quite capable, if I may say so, of withstanding the statements – far from being unanimously repeated by the US authorities – you are alluding to. I personally note that, on the ground, wherever our soldiers are engaged or in contact with their American counterparts, our relations remain marked by professionalism, mutual respect and warmth. That's a fact and for me it's what counts.

FRANCE/GERMANY/IRAQ

THE MINISTER – Those are your words, not mine. I simply note that, during all the phases of the Iraq crisis, France and Germany constantly affirmed, and still affirm, a common position based on a shared view of the world in which we live, the challenges of the crisis itself and the rules on which international relations must be based.

“NEW” EUROPE/IRAQ

THE MINISTER – Again, those are your words, not mine.

What I can tell you is that France is convinced that, in a now multipolar world, it is Europe’s responsibility to play a major role, particularly in the areas of security, stability and development. Yet clearly, because of our histories, we Europeans, both current and future EU members, can have different assessments of situations. However, we are united by shared values and a destiny we want to build together. To me it seems normal for this destiny we’ve chosen to share to be reflected, following appropriate consultation, by common positions on the major issues facing us. This is the real challenge of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. (...)./.