MOSCOW. May 14 (Interfax) - It is impossible to efficiently resolve problems affecting international security, including Syria and Iran, without Russia's involvement, in the view of French Senator Aymeri de Montesquiou.
"There are a lot of Russia's friends in France and a lot of those who understand that, without Russia's participation, it is impossible to resolve key problems of international security, including the issues of Syria and Iran," de Montesquiou, who is the vice-president of the Senate's commission on foreign affairs, defense, and armed forces, said at a meeting with Russian Federation Council members on Thursday.
Despite a certain cooling period in relations between Moscow and Paris, the two countries still have a lot in common, de Montesquiou said. "Our histories are intertwined. Russia plays an important role today in combating terrorism, and we should be more active on the forums where we have achieved something. And the Council of Europe may be one of such forums," he said.
De Montesquiou insisted on restoring comprehensive cooperation on international security with Russia within the next few months. "In this context, I recall the stance of [Charles] de Gaulle, who would have never allowed a third country to intervene in relations between Russia and France," he said, without clarifying what country he implied.
De Montesquiou praised the signature of the Minsk agreements by the leaders of France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine. "And we should assume new positions today, taking into account these circumstances, and we should and must discuss issues of security in Europe together," he said.