Daily press briefing by Ministry Spokesperson
Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign and European Spokesperson (excerpts)
(Paris, 31 July 2008)
[Please note that only the original French text issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be considered official. (http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr )]
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MIDDLE EAST
Q. - Condoleezza Rice acknowledged that it would be hard to reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement before the end of the year. Any comment? How are France and the EU reacting to Ehud Olmert’s announced departure in September? Do you think it could have an impact on the peace talks between the Palestinians and the Syrians?
Starting with your first question, at the Annapolis Conference it was decided to bring about the creation of a viable, independent, democratic and fully sovereign Palestinian State, living in peace and security alongside Israel, by the end of the year. Obviously, the road is a hard one and obstacles remain.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has gone on for too long. We encourage the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, despite the inevitable difficulties, to resolutely pursue negotiations and move forward with a view to a final settlement. We reaffirm our confidence in the process under way. While it is of course up to the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to decide on a timetable, we encourage them not to waste time: each passing day only adds to the complexity of the situation and is synonymous with new suffering.
If we look at the situation on the ground, we see positive developments, but they are still inadequate with respect to the challenges and expectations that exist. Everyday life is changing only too slowly, and that is creating frustrations and bitterness. The Israeli and Palestinian people need to see strong gestures of trust, historic gestures, decisive progress in the weeks and months to come.
The question of Jerusalem remains a key element of the final status. Let me remind you of what President Sarkozy told the Knesset: “While I know how painful this subject is, there cannot be peace without the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the two States and the guarantee that all religions will have free access to the Holy Sites.”
It is up to the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to decide on the terms of the comprehensive settlement and to sign the peace agreement, but the international community, and notably the European Union, can help the parties finalize and achieve the final agreement by offering international guarantees.
In this crucial phase of the peace process, the EU and France are saying to the Israelis and Palestinians: you are not alone, the efforts you make will be painful, but we will help you. We are ready to provide not merely economic support but our contribution to the implementation of an agreement.
France, in her current role as President of the EU Council and thus as a member of the Quartet, will continue her efforts to promote progress in the peace process. This subject will of course be discussed at the Gymnich meeting this September.
As for your second question, we took note of Prime Minister Olmert’s announcement of his intention not to run in his party primaries in September. That is a domestic policy decision that we don’t comment on.
We will continue to offer the Israeli authorities our full support so that the peace process under way can succeed in accordance with the commitments taken in Annapolis to create a viable, independent, democratic and fully sovereign State living in peace and security alongside Israel.
IRAN/NUCLEAR ISSUE
Q. - In London yesterday, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini urged the EU to “respond firmly” to Iran following the statements by the Supreme Leader. The Italian minister notably called for the immediate enforcement of UNSCR 1803 at the European level. Do you support this Italian proposal?
We are finalizing a joint position making it possible to effectively implement UNSCR 1803 at the EU level. The draft should be adopted in the coming days.
Q. - A reaction to the Iranian Foreign Minister’s statement, in which he rejected any deadline and asserted that he had already given his response to the offer of the 5+1 group?
Mr Mottaki reaffirmed Iran’s desire to negotiate on the nuclear issue but did not mention the concrete demands of the Six concerning the conditions for engaging in negotiations.
Mr Solana, together with the Six, asked Mr Saeed Jalili on 19 July for a response within 15 days to our “double-freeze” proposal, that would open a six-week period to prepare for negotiations. We have still not received a clear response to this proposal. We hope Iran will prefer cooperation to the prospect of growing isolation, and that she will give us the response that the international community expects in the coming days./.