France/ Syria
Iran/ Nuclear
Honduras
Iran
France / Iraq
Middle East
France/ Syria
Mr. Kouchner will meet with Walid al-Muallem, the Syrian Foreign Minister next week. What can you tell us about this visit and with regard to relations between France and Syria?
This visit falls within the scope of increasingly close relations between the French government and the Syrian authorities. We are not able to tell you for now if there will be a joint press briefing with the two ministers after their meeting, since it will be followed by a working dinner.
As you know, several meetings have taken place over the course of the year. France is actively participating in diplomatic efforts in the region.
This meeting therefore falls within the scope of the dynamics of bilateral French-Syrian relations.
What topics will the two ministers tackle during the meeting?
Two areas will be tackled: firstly, bilateral French-Syrian relations, then a review of the situation in the region following the UN General Assembly, where several meetings devoted to the Middle East took place. In particular, there was a Quartet meeting to discuss the Middle East. We will tackle the vital resumption of the peace process. The results of the UN General Assembly will be examined, as well as the major challenges that were discussed, in particular climate change and nuclear non-proliferation. The agenda will be quite full.
Why isWalid al-Muallem coming to Paris?
As you know, Bernard Kouchner went to Damascus in July. We outlined this visit, which came within the framework of the regional French Ambassadors’ Conference in Damascus and the relations with the Syrian authorities.
Walid al-Muallem’s visit to Paris therefore falls within the scope of the dynamics of bilateral French-Syrian relations.
What is the situation concerning the ratification of a cooperation agreement between Syria and the European Union?
The process is ongoing. This type of agreement between a country and the EU follows very precise rules, as set forth in the treaties establishing the EU.
Can you confirm that Iran is building a second enrichment site? This was in the New York Times today.
I can tell you that the President of the Republic, President Obama and the British Prime Minister should make a major statement on the Iranian nuclear issue in the next few hours.
At this stage we see that there is a further serious violation of the resolutions of the Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors. This behavior serves to further reinforce the suspicions of the international community concerning the purpose of the Iranian nuclear program.
At what level will France be represented in Geneva?
Jacques Audibert, the Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs will be present in Geneva.
What are you expecting from this meeting?
The President of the Republic and Bernard Kouchner were very clear on this issue. We are expecting concrete proposals from the Iranian authorities on the Iranian nuclear program. We would like this meeting to deal with the issue that is of concern to the international community, i.e. the Iranian nuclear program. Iran must engage in real dialogue on this topic. We hope that this meeting in Geneva on October 1 will provide Iran with an opportunity to put real proposals on the table regarding this issue.
The Iranian president proposed that nuclear experts should meet. What is France’s feeling with regard to that?
The feeling is that this proposal does not respond to the questions that we are asking Iran. We want concrete proposals that respond to the concerns of the international community regarding the Iranian nuclear program. We are expecting the October 1 meeting to produce concrete proposals on this issue.
Do you have any details on today’s Security Council meeting about Honduras?
It’s hard for me to give you details about the conclusions of the meeting before it even takes place.
At the request of Honduras’s constitutional government, France, along with its European partners and the EU Presidency, decided to send its ambassador back to Tegucigalpa as quickly as possible.
The Secretary-General of the OAS announced that representatives of the organization’s member states would return to their embassies in Tegucigalpa.
These decisions were taken in keeping with the new context created by President Zelaya’s return to Tegucigalpa on September 21.
France is prepared to take part in OAS actions to restore a legitimate democracy in that country.
France and the EU urge all the parties to accept the San Jose agreement, which offers a balanced, realistic way out of the crisis. The implementation of this agreement and the holding of free and transparent elections will enable Honduras to return to a democratic system.
Finally, France expresses its concern over the respect for human rights and fundamental liberties in Honduras.
The Israeli Prime Minister expressed his disappointment that only a dozen or so people left the room during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech. Is France disappointed by the position of the Swedish EU Presidency, which decided it was not appropriate to leave the discussions?
The French delegation decided to leave the room with other delegations. This was our decision and we carried it out. Yesterday evening, the minister clearly expressed France’s attitude on this subject and his feelings and his condemnation of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s remarks.
What is the status of the people who are at the French Embassy?
Clotilde Reiss is fine. She is at the French Embassy in Iran. I want to remind you, as did the President and Bernard Kouchner, that Clotilde Reiss is innocent of all charges against her. We want her to return to France as quickly as possible, cleared of the charges, so that she can rejoin her family and loved ones.
Concerning relations between France and Iraq, the President of the Iraqi National Assembly is in Paris this week. What is the purpose of his visit?
It’s a visit to which we attach great importance. The French Parliament is expanding parliamentary cooperation with other countries. The French National Assembly strongly wishes to establish close cooperative ties and exchange experiences with the Iraqi Parliament. We welcome the contacts that the President of the Iraqi National Assembly made this week.
Did the President of the Iraqi National Assembly meet the foreign minister?
The minister would have been pleased to meet with him but he was unable to do so, due to his trip to the 64th UN General Assembly.
How do you assess the meetings in New York with respect to the peace process?
I refer you to the Quartet’s statement. In this statement there are two important points: the urgent need to resume negotiations and the reminder of the commitments that exist under the Road Map.
There was no statement about settlement activity?
The Quartet’s statement mentions that the two parties must resume negotiations on the basis of the commitments taken under the Road Map. Our position on settlement activity is very clear and has been reiterated numerous times by the President and by Bernard Kouchner.