French FM warns against tide of global dangers

PARIS, March 23 (KUNA) -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Thursday warned against the rising tide of global dangers, illustrated by the terrorist threat, emerging protectionism and isolationism and failure to address multitude crises in a coordinated manner.
In a key-note address on the global situation and France's diplomacy, Ayrault said that Wednesday's terrorist attack against the British Parliament in London "confirmed the absolute necessity of the fight that we are leading against terrorism." He said that he learned of the London attack while attending a meeting of 68 nations in Washington to discuss actions against so-called Islamic State and this shocking news was a reminder to the international community of its responsibilities.
"At the start of this 21st century, the certainties on which we thought we could count in respect of international order have been shaken," he said.
"Terrorist groups like Daesh (IS) defy States to the point of even having conquered a territorial base," the Foreign Minister added.
He remarked that ideological battles were emerging again even though many powers had agreed to abide by agreements carved out by international organisations like the United Nations' bodies, the Council of Europe and the Human Rights Council.
Also, he warned that there was a growing movement that was questioning the very existence of entities like the European Union and questions of borders were being revived.
Ayrault also cautioned against rising trends towards protectionism, which he said made no sense in a global context we are living in today.
He urged nations not to assume a "me first" approach to world affairs and called on them to avoid turning in on themselves and called on them to work together to solve the many crises, worldwide.
He cited a number of examples whereby "spheres of influence" and competition between these nations has stopped efforts to resolve conflicts.
"I am thinking of course of the blockage in the United Nations Security Council, which the Syrian people is paying for since too long. The reasons we know. They go back to the traditional game of powers incapable of seeing beyond their immediate interests," Ayrault stated.
France failed in its efforts to stop the violence in Syria, he admitted, but he noted that "this failure is the failure of the international community all together".
The Foreign Minister again urged a full resumption and perseverance in peace talks in Geneva between all the Syrian parties and he indicated that for France "peace and stability will not come back to Syria except if a credible political transition is put in place." He also criticised the attitude of a number of European countries who have failed to take their fair share of refugees, many coming from war zones like Syria.
And he reiterated France's view that only a two-State solution between Israelis and Palestinians would resolve that conflict. (end) jk.ib