Today's Date:

FRANCE/RUSSIA/EU

THE MINISTER – (...) I believe the three key words in the relationship between Russia and France are friendship, because it’s a long-standing relationship based on the historical, geographical and cultural ties between our two peoples; trust, with the increased number of meetings at the highest level between President Putin, President Chirac and ministers, and the visits [to each other’s country] – and we’ll have the opportunity of meeting often over the next few months; and determination. We are determined to work together for a new international order and this is what justifies the dynamic nature of our relations on the political, economic, diplomatic and strategic fronts. The mobilization of our two countries is particularly vigorous because we want the relations between the European Union and Russia to become stronger.

At the time of the European Union’s enlargement bringing in ten new States, it’s very important for Europe and Russia to make active efforts to propel their relationship to a new stage. As far as we’re concerned, we want this partnership to be as comprehensive as possible, embracing security issues, the battles against terrorism and proliferation, management of regional crises, and the economy where we’re actively working with our companies which want to develop their investments. (...)

CHECHNYA

Q. – (On Chechnya)

THE MINISTER – (...) For France, no crisis can ever be resolved by a security-orientated solution. This is why we think that the political process is the only possibility. This political process is clearly difficult and long and needs to be encouraged and supported. (...) We are convinced that it's only by pursuing the path of political dialogue, a political process which must go on developing, go on until its completion that a solution can be found. (...)

MIDDLE EAST

Q. – (On the Middle East)

THE MINISTER – (...) I totally agree with what Igor Ivanov has just said on the need to do our utmost to reinvigorate the peace process thanks to the Roadmap, with the way ahead also made clearer by the Geneva Initiative.

ISRAELI SECURITY FENCE/INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

As regards the building of the wall, you know France's position, it's an issue of principles, of course, it's one of the route too, since it pre-empts any peace negotiation and so interferes with the peace process which we want to support. As regards France's position, which we might find ourselves arguing at the International Court of Justice, you know that European partners are consulting very closely on this and we Ministers will have the chance to discuss it on Monday at the General Affairs Council.

IRAQ

Q. – (On Iraq)

THE MINISTER – We of course first talked about the difficult question of Iraq's stabilization and reconstruction with, as our starting point, the political vacuum existing today in that country. On the basis of UNSCR 1511 and the agreement of 15 November, a political process has been defined. It's important to clarify it and implement it so as to be able to achieve Iraq's full sovereignty and a sovereign Iraqi government by 30 June this year. It's important, in this phase of the process, for the United Nations to be able to play its full role, and this is why we are supporting the idea of a Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General and are backing the initiatives taken by the UN Secretary-General, such as the 19 January meeting with the Coalition forces and the Interim Governing Council, and meeting of a contact group on Iraq attended by representatives of Iraq's neighbours and the international community. In cooperation with the Iraqi government formed, consequently, at the end of June, we think that the United Nations’ role will be stepped up. And this is why we talked about – since this is a project both Russia and France share and support – the idea of an international conference which could bring together all the region's countries, the whole international community, to deal with all the tough questions – borders, human exchanges, trade, security issues, terrorism and proliferation – which are so important in that region. In cooperation with what will then be the Iraqi government, we have signalled our readiness to address any needs which might be expressed in the security sphere regarding the training of the police, gendarmerie and security forces. We are ready and willing, and wish, quite obviously, to be able to do this with a sovereign Iraqi government which will, when the time comes, say how it sees Iraq's security. (...)./.