Al-Ahram: French FM: Cairo gateway to ME
Egypt-France, Politics, 6/21/2004

Prior to his arrival to Cairo yesterday, in his first tour to the region, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said in special remarks to Al-Ahram that the Roadmap is the only common terms of reference between the concerned parties to bring peace to the Middle East. Here are other remarks made by the minister:

ÊÊÊ * UNSC resolution on the future of Iraq has responded to the French demands, and the Iraqi interim government should prove its independence and ability for action.

* It was natural to choose Cairo as France's gateway to the Middle East, due to the time-honored and strong relations between the two countries.

* France has an ambition to play a vital role in the international relations and at the same time emphasize its principles, namely the priority of law and justice within the framework of pluralism and solidarity with various countries, and to live in multi-polar world.

* France and Europe have a historical commitment towards the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the creation of a viable democratic Palestinian state.

* Expanded Europe represents a good chance, as its borders would be close to the Middle East more than any other time.

* Egypt's intervention in the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza comes within the framework of the Roadmap, and it represents a serious guarantee for security.

France is ready to cooperate in this respect, either through its national capacity or through the European Union.

* In this connection, we praise the Egyptian role and Egypt's insistence to hold a dialogue between the Palestinian factions who will hold two meetings, one in the Palestinian lands on June 24, and the second in Cairo during next July.

* The Israeli withdrawal from Gaza should include transfer of power to the Palestinian Authority (PA), and that Israel facilitates the reconstruction of Gaza.

Previous Stories:
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