Embassy of France in the US - France/Asia Relations

THE MINISTER – I wanted to come to South Korea at a time when the peninsula is facing a serious situation. Before arriving in Seoul, I had successive talks with my Russian colleague, Mr Ivanov, and the Chinese leaders. I also had several discussions about the situation with Colin Powell, and shall be meeting my Japanese counterpart, as well as Mr ElBaradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, on my return to Paris. I'm very pleased that I was able this morning to talk to my counterpart, Mr Choi Sung-hong, and be received by President Kim Dae-jung and President-elect Mr Roh Moo-hyun. I told them how much it meant to me to be on Korean soil at an important moment in your country's history. France understands your people's legitimate aspiration to peace and reconciliation. (...) France is convinced that Korea's destiny of reconciliation and unity is irreversible. As you know, she has always fully supported President Kim Dae-jung's policy of rapprochement. Quite obviously, the present crisis in North Korea must be assessed in this context. (...)

NORTH KOREA

Moreover, we are aware of the gravity of the economic and social situation in North Korea. This is why we have just approved the granting of EUR 9.5 million of European Union aid to meet her people's most urgent needs. With North Korea's decision to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty, we are entering new territory. We condemn Pyongyang's decision, we are seriously worried about the resultant risk of proliferation and regional destabilization. In this crisis, the United Nations Security Council has responsibilities to exercise, its assessment of the situation must be arrived at through consultation between its members and, obviously, also through close liaison with the States directly concerned, and first and foremost South Korea and Japan. (...)

In the face of the upsurge in tension, we must concentrate our efforts in a few key areas. First and foremost, persuade North Korea to adhere to the principles and reverse her decision [to withdraw from the NPT], honour her commitments and renounce any military nuclear programme.

We must go on exploring all the ways of achieving a concerted settlement following the efforts of the past few weeks, inter alia the International Atomic Energy Agency's latest resolution and the Tripartite Declaration of Japan, the United States and South Korea. Bilateral contacts, regional dialogue and multilateral action must be combined to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

On this difficult issue we all share an obligation to succeed. We shall do so by displaying determination, coherence and pragmatism. Everyone must do what they can by acting responsibly to get North Korea to renounce her military nuclear programme, otherwise security and stability in the Korean peninsula will be endangered.

Here, we're seeing clearly, as in other crises, that the principle of collective security which is so important for today's world has to be backed up by another principle: the need to take responsible collective action.

FRANCE/SOUTH KOREA

I of course talked to those I met about Franco-Korean relations which have achieved a remarkable momentum over the past two years. On the political front, we're keen to deepen our dialogue since South Korea is an increasingly important player in the international arena. I handed the President-elect, Mr Roh Moo-hyun, an invitation from President Chirac to visit France.

On the economic and commercial front, we're keen to develop our trade with South Korea, who is our fourth most important partner in Asia.

Spurred on by what we have already achieved – the Franco-Korean TGV [train à grande vitesse] and the investment by Renault –, we must together look to the future and define new areas of cooperation.

NORTH KOREA

Q. – You said that there were, roughly speaking, three levels of consultations, i.e. firstly between the United States and North Korea, then at regional level and, thirdly, at multilateral level. But don't you think that interests and opinions may differ at these three levels? (...) Before coming to South Korea, I know you went to Russia and also to China. (...) I don't think that Russia and China have the same position as the United States, France or Britain. (...)

THE MINISTER – We firmly believe that there has to be convergence between these different approaches, since the twin modus operandi, of dialogue and firmness, is vital in the present situation. And, because of the special relations which South Korea and Japan have, naturally, with North Korea, and Russia and China's geographical proximity and links with her, we have to try and use every means available to us clearly to signal the importance of the rules to which the community is committed. (...)

All the countries you mentioned think very much along the same lines. Of course, the emphasis could conceivably be placed on the bilateral dialogue between the United States and North Korea. We all think this offers a particularly appropriate framework for seeking a solution to the crisis. But what's important is to support, provide back-up, enable others to play their full part in order to facilitate the achievement of a settlement, avoid misunderstandings, and any hidden agendas. A climate of confidence has to be established so that this dialogue can be genuinely fruitful, and this is why there's a need to use both the regional and multilateral frameworks. Let's not forget our objective which has to spur us into action. It's to ensure that North Korea honours her international commitments, her commitments on non-proliferation. Obviously regional stability depends on her doing so, as does international stability. (...) Regardless of whether we're talking about action at the Security Council, at bilateral level or by individual States in the region, the message is clearly the same: we have to ensure that the commitments are totally honoured./.

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Embassy of France in the United States - 2007