M. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, had a meeting today with Mr Gideon Saar, his Israeli counterpart.
The two ministers reiterated that France and Israel are determined that Iran should never acquire nuclear weapons, and voiced their concerns about the Islamic Republic's regional and international destabilizing actions. The Minister signalled France's commitment to reaching an agreement that constrains Iran's nuclear programme in a lasting, verifiable way, while highlighting that the window of opportunity for such a diplomatic channel was narrowing.
The two ministers discussed the situation at the Lebanese border. The Minister called for the ceasefire agreement of 27 November 2024 to be fully respected, to allow a return to security for the populations on both sides of the Blue Line, and recalled France's proposal that UNIFIL contingents be deployed, in conjunction with the Lebanese Armed Forces (FAL), to secure the five points on Lebanese territory from which the Israeli army still has to withdraw. He signalled France's desire for negotiations to begin, in a framework acceptable to all, to delineate the land border between Israel and Lebanon. He also emphasized France's efforts to encourage reforms, reconstruction and the consolidation of Lebanon's sovereignty.
The two ministers discussed the situation in Gaza. The Minister expressed his concerns over the resumption of Israeli military operations, which have caused many civilian casualties, and condemned the attacks that have hit humanitarian staff. He signalled France's commitment to a renewed ceasefire, the release of all the hostages, and negotiations with a view to a credible plan for the “day after”, in accordance with the proposals put forward in the Arab plan for Gaza. He recalled that, in the summer, France and Saudi Arabia will chair an international conference in support of the two-state solution, the only one that can guarantee peace, justice and security to both Israelis and Palestinians.