Mittal/agreement – Palestinian state

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MITTAL/AGREEMENT

Q. – ArcelorMittal; you support the choice made, the agreement the government secured, because we can say that it was the government which secured the agreement; do you have confidence in Mittal?

THE MINISTER – I think there’s something of a contrast. I think the agreement finally secured is a positive one. Why? Because on the one hand, it safeguards just over 600 jobs and the Mittal group is going to invest, so it’s a good agreement. But, prior to that, there was a whole series of intermediate stages – nationalization, etc. – and I think a number of people were a little bit unsettled. But when you look at the agreement itself, I think it’s a positive agreement

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PALESTINIAN STATE

Q. – A word on Palestine. You supported France’s position. We saw Mahmoud Abbas being cheered on his arrival in Ramallah today. He’s talking about a Palestinian state; is he going a bit fast?

THE MINISTER – No. Two-thirds of the world’s countries have decided in favour of a Palestinian state. Well, it’s called a non-member state, but it’s a state. We simply said – we French who voted yes – that it was only one stage. Israelis and Palestinians must swiftly engage in negotiations.

Q. – Will the Palestinian state be recognized only if Israel is secure?

THE MINISTER – The two things are linked. The security of Israel requires a viable Palestinian state, and for the Palestinian state to be viable, Israel must play by the rules. (…)./.