Today's Date:

Tripartite meeting - Statements made by M. Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic, during his joint press conference with Mr Gerhard Schröder, Chancellor of the Federal German Republic, and Mr Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (excerpts)

Berlin, 20 September 2003

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THE PRESIDENT - I should like once again to thank the Chancellor for his warm welcome. We talked about the problems in the context of a common approach, one which was common to all three of us and so particularly positive. These include, it's true, those of the Intergovernmental Conference, Common Foreign and Security Policy and need to contribute to growth. The role of our three countries, which together account for 60% of European production, is obviously important in this respect. We need to apply, in conditions respectful of the rules, but mindful of the requirements of growth, the Stability and Growth Pact. On all these points, there is a convergence of views between the three of us and I thank the Chancellor for highlighting this and summarizing them.

IRAQ/IRAN/AFGHANISTAN

On the international problems, we also have a common approach. Admittedly, on the subject of Iraq, we are not yet totally of the same mind, but it's correct to say that this is to be discussed at Security Council level, even though we each have our own individual analysis. On the other hand, on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran and Afghanistan, we have a common approach (...).

TRIPARTITE FRANCO-GERMAN-UK MEETINGS

Q. - May I ask you whether this framework, i.e. France, Britain and Germany, is a format we must get used to, i.e. a tripartite meeting, without the presidency of the European Union, in order to try and outline European agreements before the major European meetings?
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THE PRESIDENT - We made all the necessary contacts to inform our partners and especially the Italian presidency in advance. I personally had a long telephone conversion with President Berlusconi.
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IRAQ

Q. - To come back to Iraq, there has indisputably been progress on the basis of a multi-stage plan. Did you talk about it? There's also been talk of the possibility of the transition process talking place over several months and not several years.
THE PRESIDENT - I'd simply like to say, since everyone knows that on this our view isn't exactly the same as the British Government's, that France considers that today we need to change tack and move to a transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi authorities, so that the Iraqis can themselves shoulder their own responsibilities, while of course providing them with the necessary technical and financial help. This transfer of sovereignty must, we think, be as rapid as possible, i.e. in a matter of a few months. Fundamentally, I don't believe our views differ. On the terms and conditions and timetable we aren't yet totally in agreement.

Q. - (...) In your opinion, has the United Nations already got a key role or has it no way got the key role you asked for?

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THE PRESIDENT - To tell the truth, I believe that the UN, as the international community's representative, should have a far more important responsibility and one which is far more hands-on when it comes to bringing about the democracy and stability we are seeking for Iraq. I repeat, we are calling, as far as we are concerned, for a genuine immediate transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqis, i.e. to the institutions existing today, the Governing Council, the Council of Ministers, with, subsequently, as far as possible a transfer of responsibility, and all this, of course, under the exclusive control of the United Nations Organization. That's the French approach. Then, having said that, there is a discussion which has begun, as the Chancellor very rightly said and the Prime Minister repeated. This discussion will, of course, take place at the United Nations Security Council. So let's give the Security Council representatives the time to make headway in this discussion. (...)./.