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France recognizes Russia's new role in international relations, including in Middle East - Macron France recognizes Russia's new role in international relations, including in Middle East - Macron
(35 minutes later)
France recognizes Russia's new role in international relations, including in the Middle East, said President Emmanuel Macron at a joint media conference with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. France recognizes Russia's new role in international relations, including in the Middle East, Macron said at a joint media conference with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.
While delivering his lyrical speech that lasted nearly 30 minutes, in which he dwelled upon first the long history of Russia-France ties, Macron underlined that France is an independent country and that dialogue with Russia is a “manifestation of this independent position.” While delivering his lyrical speech that lasted nearly 30 minutes, in which he dwelled upon first the long history of Russia-France ties, French President Emmanuel Macron underlined that France is an independent country and that dialogue with Russia is a “manifestation of this independent position.”
“I am perfectly aware of Russia's irreplaceable role in solving international problems," he continued after several hours of talks with Putin, where the two discussed Syria and the Iran nuclear deal among other international issues in which both countries are taking an active part.“I am perfectly aware of Russia's irreplaceable role in solving international problems," he continued after several hours of talks with Putin, where the two discussed Syria and the Iran nuclear deal among other international issues in which both countries are taking an active part.
Macron’s tone was very different from Putin’s when he visited France last year. This time, Macron spoke of a “robust” partnership and defining a clear approach to multilateral relations together with Moscow.Macron’s tone was very different from Putin’s when he visited France last year. This time, Macron spoke of a “robust” partnership and defining a clear approach to multilateral relations together with Moscow.
On Syria, both presidents agreed that they want to create the mechanism that would bring together the efforts of Russia, Turkey and Iran, known as the Astana process, and the action of the "small group" initiated by France, and comprises Britain, Germany, Jordan, the United States and Saudi Arabia.
There has also been an agreement on a joint investigation into the alleged cases of the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Damascus has been accused by Western powers in April of using chemical weapons in eastern Ghouta. Without waiting for an investigation by the OPCW experts, the US, the UK and France conducted airstrikes on Syria.
Concerning the Iran nuclear deal, which the US decided to leave despite EU lament, Macron and Putin reiterated that it should remain in effect. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that Iran was complying with all its provisions. Answering reporters’ questions on the issue Putin reaffirmed his position: “Where is the basis for leaving the deal? Consequences would be lamentable.”
Though Putin was skeptical about adding any elements to the already negotiated deal, Macron proposed “amending” the JCPOA to address Iran’s ballistic missile program and activities in the region.
Macron also touched upon the issue of cybersecurity, saying that they’ve agreed with Putin to create a new mechanism to help the two countries tackle issues in this sphere.Macron also touched upon the issue of cybersecurity, saying that they’ve agreed with Putin to create a new mechanism to help the two countries tackle issues in this sphere.
Macron’s visit coincides with Russia’s largest business forum, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), which is held annually in the northern city that used to be the country’s capital. The French president also stated that French companies will keep doing business in Iran despite the threat of US sanctions. Macron’s visit coincides with Russia’s largest business forum, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), during which French and Russian business signed billion-euro deals.
READ MORE: France signs contracts with Russia to invest €1bnREAD MORE: France signs contracts with Russia to invest €1bn
France and Russia currently find themselves on the same side over US withdrawal from a multilateral agreement with Iran, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JPOA), which both Moscow and Paris want to preserve. But there are also many points of conflict between the two and Macron didn’t pull punches in the public during Putin’s visit to France.
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