France and its institutions are well prepared to support the Kingdom in realizing its Vision 2030 program, French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Jean-Marc Ayrault said in an exclusive interview with Al-Riyadh Arabic paper, sister publication of Riyadh Daily. "Our institutions are well aware of the new expectations of Saudi Arabia as regards to local manufacturing, training of Saudi workforce and transfer of technology," he said. He said that there were a large number of Saudi nationals working in French institutions in the Kingdom, noting that Vision 2030 was not restricted to economic reform, but also includes social welfare. "France enjoys a good reputation in the fields of scientific and technological research, culture, entertainment and sports. We already have cooperative programs in heritage and research. We are ready to expand the scope of such cooperation to cover other domains," he said. Excerpts from the interview: Your visit to Saudi Arabia comes after the Middle East peace conference in Paris. Is there any relation between the two? The conference held in Paris on January 15 has conveyed a strong message of unity by 75 countries and international organizations, voicing strong support for the two-state solution. In this respect, I would like to thank Saudi Arabia for its high-level participation in the conference. Saudi Arabia is a principal player in the Middle East peace process. The Arab Peace Initiative launched in 2002 stands testimony to the important role being played by the Kingdom. The initiative brokered by the Kingdom has not lost its significance. It is an example of the leading role assumed by Saudi Arabia. As for the conference, it was necessary to be held at a time when the new US administration was taking over power, and in view of the extremely difficult situation on ground. We have been quite clear and transparent with our partners throughout the phases of our initiative. It has become clear that both the Palestinians and Israelis must find a way out for this conflict. France deems Saudi Arabia as a reliable partner. More than ever, it has become necessary to continue keeping this issue on the international agenda. It is necessary that partners look into the ways that help achieve a lasting peace. I will be discussing this with the Saudi authorities. What role will France play in seeking solutions to other volatile issues in the Middle East? France is well-acquainted with the Middle East and is a friend of the countries of the region. Our partnerships with these countries have significantly expanded during the past years as it was clear from the participation by the President of the Republic François Holland in the unofficial GCC summit on May 4, 2015. Our current priority is the war on terrorism for the prosperity and security of our regions. This priority is embodied in our diplomatic and military commitment to the international alliance against ISIS, in which Saudi Arabia is participating. I am confident of our ability to win the war against this organization. Moreover, we are exerting every effort to restore peace to Syria, Libya, Iraq and Yemen. We operate within bilateral frameworks, thanks to our dialogue with influential parties, encouraging each party to opt for political solutions rather than military force. In addition, we operate within multilateral arenas, particularly in the UN, which constitutes the main platform for bringing about peace and security. Do have any hope for the suffering Syrian people, even as the Astana conference is being convened and the crisis enters its sixth year? The French stance is firm: Only a political solution will end the conflict and alleviate the sufferings of the Syrian people. The political transformation and national reconciliation will be given priority in our endeavors and goodwill missions. Therefore, France is ready to support all efforts exerted in this respect, including the Astana conference. The negotiation framework approved by the international community must be adhered to. This includes the Geneva Declaration and the US Security Council's resolution No. 2254. The Astana conference must prepare for resuming the political negotiations in Geneva under the patronage of the UN. France reiterates its support for the UN special envoy to Syria, Mr. Staffan De Mistura. Will the European-US relations undergo any change in view of the new US administration? Donald Trump assumed power only two days ago. It is certainly too early to make a judgment on his performance. However, the election of Trump as the President of the USA may create an atmosphere of mistrust, which should be cleared as soon as possible. In this regard, France constitutes a reliable and sustainable partner which adopts an independent foreign policy. What do you see is the way out for mitigating the Iranian threat to peace and security in the region? France is keen on the full implementation of the nuclear agreement. As you know, France imposed clear and strict criteria for the said agreement, notably as regards to verification. These criteria address the Saudi concerns and that of the international community. In parallel, France has initiated a political dialogue with Iran to enable a constructive exchange between the two countries. During the dialogue, we brief Iran about our concerns over its policy in the region. Increase of tensions in the Middle East only serves our common enemy – the ISIS organization and all other terrorist organizations. We must join hands and exert every effort to face this danger. We encourage all countries in the region to opt for dialogue.
