French FM Douste-Blazy
Photo: AP
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni
Photo: Yoav Gilai
France: Unilateral border unacceptable
French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy and Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni hold joint press conference after meeting in Jerusalem; Douste-Blazy emphasizes disapproval of unilateral moves, presses to renew Israeli-Palestinian negotiations
France opposes "unilateral decisions" regarding the future borders between Israel and the Palestinian areas, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said during a joint press conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni after the two met in Jerusalem Wednesday.
The European Union and France’s stance is that a just long-term solution cannot be achieved except for by negotiations and agreement between the two sides, Douste-Blazy said. Unilateral moves will not let either side achieve their goals, he added.
Foreign Ministers Livni, Douste-Blazy in Jerusalem (Photo: Reuters)
“It is unacceptable that an international border would be unilaterally established,” he declared, and emphasized the importance of renewing negotiations to advance peace. Douste-Blazy warned Israel not to make unilateral moves that would harm the Palestinian people.
Douste-Blazy noted that he met with Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Paris two weeks ago, and agreed with his suggestion to establish a monitored trust fund for the transfer of money for salaries in the PA.
“France believes that it we cannot let the Palestinian people feel they are being abandoned. If the Palestinian nation feels abandoned, it will lead to radicalization and extremism. That is the opposite of what those who are minimizing Palestinians aid to object to the Hamas regime want to happen. We need to be sure though that the money is channeled to the teachers, lecturers and doctors,” he said.
He reiterated his country’s commitment to the Quartet’s demand that Hamas renounce violence, uphold previous agreements, and recognize Israel’s existence.
Warming relations
The minister also addressed the warming relations between Israel and France, the turning point for which was former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Paris visit in July of last year.
During the joint press conference, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni asked to emphasize the points on which the two countries saw eye to eye. She praised France for upholding the conditions set Hamas by the Quartet, and mentioned that the two had discussed the Iran nuclear issue.
Before meeting with Livni, Douste-Blazy visited the Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva for the dedication of an operating hall named after him, funded by donors in France. Douste-Blazy is trained as a cardiologist.
On Tuesday evening the French minister watched the colossal fireworks show on the Tel Aviv-Jaffa boardwalk, along with some quarter-million Israelis. The event, which caused massive traffic jams throughout all of the coastal region, was sponsored by France.
