| The French Prime Minister came to Russia for pre-election ratings Yesterday French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin arrived in Moscow on a two-day working visit. As the French Embassy told Vremya Novostey, the visit program is “very intense” and has an economic emphasis. The prospects for cooperation in the gas and aerospace sectors and in the field of protection of intellectual property rights will be discussed. Although bilateral trade has nearly tripled since 2000, reaching $9 billion last year, France ranks a modest eighth among international investors in Russia.
As VN has learned, Dominique de Villepin intends to find out Russia’s position regarding the Iranian nuclear program and the current balance of power in the Palestinian Authority. According to the French source VN, the main discussions will revolve around the invitation announced last week by President Vladimir Putin to the leadership of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas to visit Moscow.
France is a member of the European Union, and the EU, in turn, is one of the four mediators on the Middle East settlement issue, along with the UN, Russia and the United States. The EU considers only the armed wing of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas terrorist, although the conventions of such a division are obvious. Dominique de Villepin is unlikely to try to convince Moscow to withdraw the invitation, especially since the French Foreign Ministry stated with reservations that the upcoming visit of Hamas representatives to the Russian capital contributes to “promoting our positions.” Most likely, he will try to negotiate with Russia to develop a coordinated position regarding further contacts with Hamas.
Dominique de Villepin's foreign trips are closely connected with his political ambitions within the country - the French prime minister is leading in the race for the presidency. Elections will be held in 2007, but the intensity of passions is already palpable. Mr. de Villepin and his main rival, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, represent the same ruling party, the Union for a Popular Movement. According to French law, a party must go to elections with a single candidate. According to VN, the Union is currently inclined to nominate both charismatic politicians. While Nicolas Sarkozy is busy with domestic affairs, the head of government can earn points on the foreign policy front. In particular, developing relations with France's traditional ally, Russia. Petr ISKENDEROV |
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