PARIS: President Bashar al-Assad said Friday: " What Syria wants of France is to be an active state in the framework of the peace process, especially if we have to move from indirect negotiations with Israel for direct negotiations in addition to the interest in the Syrian-French partnership, "
In an interview with French newspaper " L' Humanite " the President added that the Syrian-French relations require more political dialogues and developing economic relations in the field of oil exploration, electric power and transportation, especially, the aviation field and regional trade in general.
He said: " France is keen on stability in the Middle East, the peace process, settling the political crisis in Lebanon, the future of Iraq and on the Palestinian reconciliation with the aim of completing the peace process in addition to fighting terrorism," pointing out that Syria is an active country in all fields.
President al-Assad underlined that the Doha agreement in addition to indirect negotiations with Israel helped understanding the position of Syria regarding peace and the relations with Lebanon.
He mentioned that the change in the French policy is linked to the arrival of President Nicolas Sarkozy to the presidency, pointing out that what interests Syria regarding France relations with NATO is the repercussions of these relations on Syrian interests.
" It is necessary to strengthen role of France to push the United States to be more positive toward the Arab issues in the region," the President said, pointing out that the U.S. role is fundamental in the peace process but its relations with Israel is distinguished and there is no European country able to replace the United States in its relations with Israel.
President al-Assad added: " The European role is complementary to the American one but Americans are not trying to understand what is happening in the region and France is able to help them understanding the reality of the region,"
Regarding impacts of the new Syrian-French relations on the Syrian-Iranian ones, the President explained that there is no connection between stability and severing relations between Syria and Iran, on the contrary, the effective role of Syria in achieving stability in the region requires to establish dialogues with all countries in the region including Iran, and Turkey.
He went on to say: " The policies of isolation that was practiced against some countries by the United States, in the recent years and adopted by some European countries, created chaos and extremism that generated terrorism," pointing out that Syria adopts policy of integration, acceptance of dialogue and rejection of dictations and stressing that isolating Iran will not halt its nuclear program and Syria encourages France to hold a dialogue with Iran.
On the indirect Syrian-Israeli negotiations, His Excellency said: " We are working on two axes, the first is to build confidence and conviction that Israel is serious in the peace process and the second is the common ground that allows conducting direct negotiations.
The President mentioned that the Turkish role is the role of mediator, but direct negotiations need a sponsor or a godfather to exercise pressure on the parties.
He pointed out that what is happening today is not different from what was formerly where we are talking about a just and comprehensive peace and the comprehensive peace means a peace on all tracks and there should be discrimination between the signing a peace agreement with Syria and achieving peace in the region.
" What interests us is the United Nation's resolution No. 242," Regarding Iran's nuclear file President al-Assad clarified that Iran has the right to obtain nuclear reactor and energy production and these rights should be recognized.
He pointed out that the United States position is different from the European attitude towards Iranian nuclear file where the U.S. is trying to raise the war and search for excuses but Europe puts pressure and avoids war and there is unanimity among the Europeans on this position.
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2008
