Germany: We are working with France to formulate a common policy to enhance peace prospects in Lebanon

In statements to the German newspaper Der Spiegel ahead of next week’s German-French cabinet meeting, the minister said, “We want to work with France to formulate a common policy toward Lebanon in order to increase the chances of achieving peace in the Near and Middle East.” The minister did not provide further details.

At the same time, Fadivel announced other joint initiatives with France, explaining that the two countries wish to strengthen Europe’s capacity to act in foreign policy, among other things, by ending the “overlap of competences” in the European Union’s external policy.

Regarding the war in Ukraine and the war involving Iran, Fadivel called for a new round of negotiations, stating, “We must now make a very serious attempt to settle both conflicts,” adding that neither conflict would be resolved on the battlefield, “but at the negotiating table, and the sooner this happens, the better for the people.”

Fadivel observed that the recent increase in violence does not rule out negotiations, noting the existence of a “military phenomenon characterized by a final surge before entering into talks,” and added, “I can well imagine that we are witnessing something like this at present, because the recent attacks carried out by Russia and Iran in parallel with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit were certainly not coincidental, but aimed at demonstrating presumed strength.”

The minister affirmed that in both conflicts, he has “justified hope that there is an opportunity for progress toward a resolution.”