Interview given by M. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the Republic, to the “Al-Ahram” Egyptian newspaper (excerpts)
Paris, 1 August 2007
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MEDITERRANEAN UNION
Q. – In your investiture ceremony speech on 16 May, you highlighted the Mediterranean as a political priority. And indeed your first visit outside Europe was to Algeria and Tunisia to discuss the “Mediterranean Union” project. Is this an attempt to relaunch the Barcelona Process? How do you see this Mediterranean area in ten years’ time?
THE PRESIDENT – For France, the Mediterranean is the second area of solidarity after Europe, and the two in large measure overlap. We are keen to give a new political boost to the region, whose place on the European agenda isn’t commensurate with the economic, environmental, strategic and cultural challenges we have to confront with those countries.
The Mediterranean Union project addresses this aspiration. It is for all the States bordering the Mediterranean, not competing with the existing structures but complementing them, and will seek to carry out concrete projects in areas where needs are most obvious, for example, water, sustainable development and energy integration.
We fully appreciate all the achievements already realized here, particularly in the framework of the Euromed partnership. The idea is not to redo or undo what’s already been done, but to revitalize what exists, and decide on a few high-profile, concrete initiatives.
The Mediterranean Union project has been very well received by both our EU Mediterranean partners and the southern Mediterranean countries. By virtue of her location on the Mediterranean and also because she has always been very actively involved in the Mediterranean fora, Egypt has a crucial role to play. Our two countries share the same aspiration for a Mediterranean area, uniting instead of dividing and encouraging sharing rather than increasing the gap between poor and rich.
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TONY BLAIR/QUARTET
Q. – What is France’s position on the new role of the former British prime minister as the Quartet’s emissary in the Middle East?
THE PRESIDENT – I welcome Mr Tony Blair’s appointment as the Quartet’s Special Representative for the Middle East. I have wished him every success in this important and difficult mission. His qualities as a statesman and ability to instigate action will be crucial in creating the conditions for relaunching the peace process. Sights must be set high in order to achieve an early agreement on the final status of the Palestinian Territories.
FRANCE/MIDDLE EAST
Q. – So far, since the French presidential election, France has not played an active role in the Middle East.
THE PRESIDENT – On the contrary, I’d say that France has played an active role in the Middle East. Over and above her unremitting efforts to promote the stabilization of the situation in Lebanon, France has been seeking by all possible means to restore trust between the parties in order to get the peace process reactivated.
France has played a leading role in convincing her European partners of the need to resume the direct budgetary assistance to the Palestinian Authority, which has been done. I had a meeting in Paris with President Abbas on 29 June and confirmed to him our political and financial support (including French budgetary assistance of €15 million for strengthening the Palestinian institutions).
I also had a meeting with Ms Livni, the Israeli Foreign Minister, on 4 July in Paris, to talk very frankly about the possibilities of reactivating the peace process.
Q. – Is this region no longer a French foreign policy priority? How do you envisage France’s future role in the region?
THE PRESIDENT – Working together with her European partners, France will go on playing a role of mediator and making proposals in order to achieve a rapid resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the United Nations Security Council has reiterated several times, the objective is “two States living side by side in peace and security”.
This means each protagonist recognizing the right of the other. No one must lose sight of two fundamental realities: on one side, the terrorism suffered by the Israeli population is intolerable and, on the other, an occupied people will never give up, whatever they endure. So the Palestinians have to renounce violence and Israel her settlement policy which is mortgaging the future. This is why it’s important to adopt a balanced position. So I shall defend equally energetically both the Palestinians’ right to have a State and Israel’s security. Also no significant progress is possible without the release of the Franco-Israeli soldier, Corporal Shalit.
France has always said she was ready to host substantive discussions on the final status. France will continue her efforts to increase trust between the parties, key to the success of these negotiations.
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LIBYA
Q. – You brought the crisis with Libya regarding the Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian doctor to a successful conclusion through an unconventional solution to an unconventional crisis, as you put it. In your view, is Libya now ready to rejoin the concert of nations?
THE PRESIDENT – Resolution of this issue removed the final obstacle to Libya’s real return to the concert of nations. During my visit to the country on 25 July, an ambitious framework agreement was signed to reactivate bilateral cooperation. This strategic partnership is based on operational and dynamic initiatives in all areas: civilian nuclear power, defence, counter terrorism and the political dialogue. I also welcome the resumption of a partnership between the European Union and Libya.
Finally, my wife, Cécilia – who did an extraordinary job – and I won’t forget our solidarity with the infected children of Benghazi and their families, whose suffering we want to alleviate. Medical and hospital cooperation will continue and be increased. (…)./.