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Euro-Mediterranean partnership
Press conference given by Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic, following the Euro-Mediterranean Summit (excerpts)
Barcelona, November 28, 2005
( ) EU BUDGET/CAP Q. Mr Blair has said that he had the opportunity to talk to Mr Zapatero about the European budget. He now wants to start discussing the European budget with the new members, with the idea of reducing the total amount of the European budget. Have you had the opportunity to talk to Mr Tony Blair about this, in the corridors, and what's your position on this proposal?
THE PRESIDENT As you know, Britain has an extremely difficult task. Since, as you know, she is relatively isolated, and I mean relatively, on the issue of the financial perspective. I don't doubt for a single moment Mr Tony Blair's desire to find a solution which is acceptable to everyone, being well aware that the 25 Europeans want to reach an agreement at the forthcoming council. In fact, we didn't talk about that. I was present when Mr Zapatero and Mr Blair were talking, since I was opposite them. There was no in-depth discussion of those things. It wasn't on the agenda today and there were other problems which had to be considered. Mr Blair will intensify contacts with all the Europeans in the preparation of these proposals and the forthcoming European Council, which is to take place in Brussels on this subject. Q. We've seen quite a lot of things in the British press this morning, with it said that what Tony Blair was proposing wouldn't in the short term lead to reforms of the CAP. Do you view this as a victory for French policy, do you think it's a step forward as far as the budget is concerned?
THE PRESIDENT Not calling into question agreements which have been endorsed by the whole European Union is obviously, to my mind, important. But I can't imagine it being possible to call these agreements into question. This being so, I'm waiting for the British presidency to make its proposals. And I'm sure that it's currently making great efforts to find the best possible way out of the difficulty we're experiencing. ( ) SUMMIT DECLARATION/TERRORISM/IMMIGRATION Q. The European Union has given 3 billion for the southern Mediterranean, but very few heads of State have come here. A code of conduct has been adopted, but we know there's a problem on terrorism and that it was hard to agree on a declaration because of a lack of consensus on the problem. Do you think terrorism and immigration are really a problem?
THE PRESIDENT The agreement was achieved without difficulty on terrorism I said this earlier and particularly on the police and judicial cooperation required for an effective battle against terrorism. As for the rest, an agreement has almost been achieved and the joint declaration made by the British presidency, if you read it I was referring in particular to the beginning of the declaration you will see that it's been agreed by all participants. So I believe the British presidency can be said to have every justification for satisfaction with this result. But perhaps Ive missed something in your question? Q. Wouldn't it have been better to have a formal agreement and an official declaration by the 25 rather than a presidency declaration, because it's a little bit cynical, isn't it? A presidency declaration suggests disagreement.
THE PRESIDENT That's not how I saw it. And everyone approved this method, a traditional one in this type of international meeting. For me, there are no grounds for making the slightest criticism of the British presidency in this field. ( ) BARCELONA PROCESS/FRANCE Q. France benefits from and enjoys important influence in the European region and more particularly in the Maghreb. Have we seen the Barcelona Process suffer these past years from the lack of political substance and interest in human rights and democracy? In the coming years, are we going to see France perhaps a bit more committed and encouraging democracy and human rights in the Arab world, particularly the Maghreb?
THE PRESIDENT France is totally true to her tradition which consists, admittedly, in not interfering in countries' domestic affairs, but at all times defending human rights and the observance of human rights in the Maghreb countries as in the others. On this point, France won't change her position. We have always held this course and well stick to it, of course. This is also one of the advances recorded at this Barcelona Conference. ( )./.
Embassy of France in the United States - November 30, 2005
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