Today's Date:

Meeting of the Franco-Russian Cooperation Council for Security Issues – Statements made by Philippe Douste-Blazy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Michèle Alliot-Marie, Minister of Defense, during their joint press conference with Sergei Lavrov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Sergey Ivanov, Russian Minister of Defense (excerpts)

M. DOUSTE-BLAZY (…) This is the fifth meeting of the Cooperation Council for Security Issues (CCAQS) between French and Russian ministers.

It’s a new example of the substantive nature of Franco-Russian relations to which I am personally very committed. I also had a meeting yesterday evening with my friend Sergei Lavrov, whom I had already met in New York in September, and I intend going very soon, in November, to Moscow.

This morning’s quadripartite meeting allowed us to discuss several issues, firstly those to do with European security, the fight against terrorism, fight against proliferation with, as you would expect, the Iran issue where I emphasized how essential it is for us to act together. We’ve also decided to go on cooperating very closely over the coming weeks, particularly between now and the forthcoming IAEA Council of Governors’ meeting in November.

EU-RUSSIA COMMON SECURITY SPACE

And then we talked about certain regional crises. We had a very substantial discussion on our cooperation in the framework of the European Union-Russia “Common Security Space”. This is a priority we share. Indeed, strengthening democracy and stability in our common neighbourhood is in both our interests, you can’t have one without the other. We can get lasting results only through close and trustful cooperation between Russia and the EU. I’m thinking particularly of the “frozen” conflicts, the progress made with the Russian authorities on the Transnistria issue and our wish to extend our cooperation to include the south Caucasus conflicts.

I’m also thinking of the very worrying developments in the human rights sphere in some States, Uzbekistan in particular, on which the EU is keen to hold a genuine dialogue with Russia.

I also signalled our concern about the hardening of the Belarussian regime.

We also talked about the major multilateral meetings, particularly Russia’s G8 presidency which we wish every success and are ready to cooperate with.

We talked too, in the wake of the London [EU-Russia] summit, about the importance for the European Union and Russia of exploring ideas on the future of their relationship which must go on being constantly strengthened.

LEBANON

We talked about several regional issues, including, particularly yesterday evening, Lebanon. In the current delicate phase, the whole international community must support the Lebanese government and Russia has a crucial role to play if our efforts are to succeed. We’re going to pursue an in-depth dialogue with her on this, and I thank Sergei Lavrov for the very detailed discussion we had yesterday evening over dinner.

IRAQ

We also talked about the Middle East peace process in general, and then just now the four of us talked about Iraq – about what should be the way ahead in the wake of the referendum on 15 October on the adoption of the Constitution. We highlighted the fact that we’re both anxious for there to be inclusivity in order to encourage a genuine national consensus in Iraq, and we talked about the importance of having an international conference to support Iraq’s political process.

KOSOVO

We also discussed the Balkans and in particular the assessment which will have to be made of the situation in Kosovo on the basis of the report of the United Nations Secretary-General’s special envoy. I reiterated that we would continue contributing to the international community’s efforts in Kosovo.

(…)

FRANCO-RUSSIAN COOPERATION

MME ALLIOT-MARIE - We do a lot of practical things together. In particular there are high-level meetings on the definition of strategic problems. We also have joint peacekeeping activities, joint training programmes, officer exchanges and joint exercises. This is in the bilateral framework.

Secondly, what we’d like is for there also to be such action in the European Union-Russia framework, on the model of what happens in the NATO-Russia one.

Paradoxically, there are today fewer joint European Union-Russia activities than joint NATO-Russia ones. Consequently, cooperation must be envisaged in different sectors, which can be, going beyond the operational level, particularly at that of the European Defence Agency. Those are some concrete examples in answer to your question.

AFGHANISTAN

MME ALLIOT-MARIE - I’d simply like to correct something you said concerning Afghanistan. When you say that the action against terrorism in Afghanistan is drawing to a close, I believe that’s a very optimistic view of the situation. I hope it will end, that it will end quickly. But we have to face the fact today that there are still a very large number of clashes at this very moment in south and south-east Afghanistan, that the problems of the border’s porosity haven’t been resolved, and if we want Afghanistan not to return to being a training and support base for terrorism, these operations must obviously be completed and then, subsequently, ISAF will indeed have the job of guaranteeing the country’s security and stability. We’ll be certain that there are no more terrorist bases only when Afghanistan has once again become a State capable of ensuring security, peace and control throughout its territory.

IRAQ/INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

M. DOUSTE-BLAZY - First of all in Iraq, we see a sort of paradox. On one side there’s continually growing violence, increasing sectarianism, and, at the same time, there’s a draft constitution to be voted on on 15 October. After that there will be parliamentary elections, then the formation of a new government. In other words, a process making headway on one side and worsening violence on the other.

We think the only solution is inclusivity, to act in such a way that all the country’s political forces can meet and explain, including to the Sunnis, that they will have their place in the framework shaped by this Constitution. It is extremely important for all Iraq’s political forces to come together in support of national unity.

We think the only solution for Iraq is not to rely totally on the security forces, but, on the contrary, to rely on the political process. We obviously agree on this, it’s why we support the Russian idea, which President Putin has very clearly set out, of an international conference. We still need to know when, how and with what content [it will take place].

So we’ll have the opportunity – we’ve already discussed this – to try and clarify and put the finishing touches to the idea of this international conference and find a political process.

IRAN

M. DOUSTE-BLAZY - The fact that we’re working together, talking to each other and can talk things through helps a lot. This is in fact what’s happening.

We both note that there’s general disquiet on the part of the international community, including on that of our Russian friends and ourselves, on the purpose of the Iranian nuclear activities. We too are highlighting the [role of the] IAEA. In fact the thrust of the resolution the three Europeans proposed at the last Governors’ Council in October was to ensure that the referral to the UN Security Council would reinforce the authority of the IAEA.

We don’t intend giving you a date, we don’t have a date to give as regards the Security Council. We simply want two things: the international community to be as united as possible, and to explain to Iran that our goal isn’t to cause a crisis but to negotiate. We have to explain to Iran that the Paris agreement of November 2004 must continue to be respected. We’re keen to explain and study the Russian proposals, we want to work together and involve them more in order to prepare the next Council of Governors and have the same information, the same facts. Because, indeed, the Russians also have this capacity to talk to Iran, which is a great country, a great civilization which must be respected. In any case, we also have to be firm when it comes to Iran’s nuclear activities. This is what I have always said to you and our view hasn’t changed on this.

RUSSIA/FRANCE

M. DOUSTE-BLAZY - Yesterday, my opposite number and friend, Sergei Lavrov, and I had a number of perfectly normal discussions, such as are customary between our two countries. There are no differences, we spoke to each other extremely honestly and in a very friendly way. There’s nothing special in this respect.

As regards Belarus, I’ve already expressed my view, I’ve nothing more to add to what I said earlier./.