For Macron, "Biden has an essential role to play" in the dialogue with Iran and Russia
French President Emmanuel Macron supports new negotiations that would also place limits on Iran's ballistic missile program Ludovic MARIN AFP
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4 min
Emmanuel Macron spoke on Thursday February 4 in front of the American think tank Atlantic Council on the occasion of the launch of its European center.
He spoke of France's support for any initiative by the United States to resume dialogue with Iran and Russia.
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France will support any initiative by the United States to resume dialogue with Iran.
This is Emmanuel Macron's message to the American think tank Atlantic Council.
The French president had tried, unsuccessfully, to resume
dialogue between Donald Trump's United States and Iran
at a G7 summit in Biarritz in August 2019 or on the sidelines of the UN general assembly the same year.
Emmanuel Macron hopes for a change under the Biden administration and has made it known: “
I will do my best to support any American initiative to re-engage in a demanding dialogue.
I will be there, as I was two years ago, and a year and a half ago, to try to be an honest and engaged facilitator in this dialogue.
President Biden has a vital role to play.
First, because Iran is much closer to having access to the nuclear bomb today than before the signing of the Iranian agreement in July 2015. We must also settle the question of ballistic missiles and the question of stability of the region.
It is all of these questions that we must now address.
Because now is the right time.
And we have to find a way to involve Saudi Arabia and Israel in these discussions, because they are key partners in the region and are directly affected by the outcome of these discussions.
It is impossible to resolve the situation without being sure that all of these countries are comfortable with this new timetable.
But I will support any re-engagement of the dialogue
”.
A break with the Trump administration desired
Thursday, February 4, US President Joe Biden insisted on his desire to mark the break with Donald Trump against Moscow.
A position shared by the French president, who, at the same time, also pleaded for dialogue with Russia.
He insisted, in front of the American think tank, on the fact that this dialogue had to be resumed even after the imprisonment of the Russian opponent Alexeï Navalny, a decision of Moscow that the French president has, once again, condemned.
“
I think this is a huge mistake, even for the stability of Russia today.
The Navalny case is a very serious matter, we have decided on sanctions, I regret and I condemn this decision.
So why in such a context did I choose to reopen the channels of discussions with Russia?
In reality, I defend this dialogue.
I believe in facing its history and its geography.
Russia is part of Europe and I think it is very important, whatever happens, to anchor Russia in this large part of the world.
It is impossible to have peace and stability in Europe, especially at our borders today, if we are not able to negotiate with Russia.
If you constantly engage in dialogue, you may get some results, but at least you avoid stronger differences.
It will take years, maybe decades, but we need this dialogue for European peace and stability
”.
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Watch the interview given by the French Head of State to the Atlantic Council think tank
TUNE IN NOW for the launch of @ACEurope with President @EmmanuelMacron on #ACFrontPage https://t.co/VblR9l8VCc
- Atlantic Council (@AtlanticCouncil) February 4, 2021
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Emmanuel Macron
Diplomacy
Iran
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