Chirac: security is not attainable without peace

French President Jacques Chirac stressed that security cannot be achieved in the Middle East without peace. President Chirac added: "Peace is the best solution that enables all to live in security."

President Chirac told reporters after his talks with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Paris on Monday afternoon that France wants to joint the US effort to resume the ME peace process. He said France hopes the obligations and principles of Madrid peace conference as well as the signed agreements are honored.

He indicated the importance of efforts exerted by US President Bill Clinton to restart the currently deadlocked peace process, adding that Europe wants to join these efforts at the same level.

President Chirac said the situation in the region violates man's right to live in peace, and threatens the whole region. Chirac called on all parties to unite their efforts in service of the peace process so as to reach its goals very soon.