French FM calls for realistic, lasting settlement of Sahara issue

French foreign minister, Dominique de Villepin, called Wednesday for a "realistic and lasting settlement of the Sahara issue, in the framework of the United Nations." Speaking at the opening session of the 5"5 dialogue group (5 Maghreb countries : France, Spain, Malta, Portugal and Italy), De Villepin, said such a settlement will open a new page in relations between Europe and the Maghreb, as a friendly and united neighbor, spokesman of the French foreign ministry reported.