Xinhua News Agency, Paris, December 19 -

Interview: an important part of the epidemic is the era of multilateral cooperation "along the way" initiative - Interview with Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin

  Xinhua News Agency reporter Xu Yongchun

  Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Prime Minister of France and Chairman of the Foundation for Prospects and Innovation, said in a written interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters that the “Belt and Road” initiative is an important part of multilateral cooperation in the post-epidemic era and is promoting global economic recovery , Play an important role in improving global public health governance and promoting green development.

  Raffarin said that unilateralism has no future. In the context of the global fight against the new crown epidemic, countries need to deepen international cooperation. The "Belt and Road" initiative is a part of multilateral international cooperation.

  Raffarin pointed out that the global economic recovery depends not only on investment in priority development areas, but also a rebound in domestic consumption and international trade.

China is actively building a domestic and international dual cycle, which will release China's consumer market dividends and contribute to the recovery of the world economy.

In addition, large-scale international projects under the “Belt and Road” initiative will also help promote global economic development.

  Raffarin said that the “Belt and Road” international cooperation has played an active role in fighting the epidemic.

Currently, the construction of public health infrastructure has become a priority development area for relevant cooperative countries, and the "Belt and Road" initiative will help promote the financing and construction of related projects.

In the post-epidemic era, partners in the “Belt and Road” initiative should pay more attention to health and medical cooperation, give full play to the role of the World Health Organization, improve global public health governance, and have more resources to deal with future pandemics.

  Talking about the role of the “Belt and Road” in tapping new kinetic energy of the world economy, Raffarin believes that in order for the “Belt and Road” initiative to become a driving force for “smart” and “green” development, it is necessary to make project investment and the " The goals of the Paris Agreement are the same to make the “Belt and Road” cooperation project a model of green development. This is the common will of the partners.

  Raffarin is optimistic about the prospects of EU-China cooperation in the field of digital economy.

For example, he said that Europe and China have organized many forums on smart cities in recent years, and the two sides have great potential for cooperation in building "green smart cities".

In addition, the gradual recovery of the global economy provides favorable conditions for mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation under the “Belt and Road” initiative. The “Belt and Road” initiative will help Europe and China cooperate in traditional fields such as aerospace, energy, health, food, and urban planning.

  Raffarin also hopes that Europe and China will continue to promote the "Belt and Road" initiative and the Eurasian interconnection strategy, strengthen the tripartite cooperation between France, China and Africa in related fields, and at the same time further give play to the important role of cultural exchanges in the traditional friendship between France and China.