Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Friday that France is resolute in its decision to fully recognize the state of Palestine, emphasizing that the postponement of a planned conference in New York regarding the Palestinian state does not alter France's stance.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Macron described France's determination to recognize the State of Palestine as "a sovereign decision" during a news conference, aligning it with Paris's support for a two-state solution as the only means to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. He confirmed that although the June 18 conference in New York about the Palestinian state has been postponed, it will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
Macron underscored that the delay does not diminish France's commitment to the two-state solution. "This postponement could not weaken our desire to go ahead with the two-state solution," he reiterated, affirming his determination to recognize the State of Palestine as a full and sovereign decision.
Additionally, Macron addressed ongoing regional tensions, indicating that Israeli strikes against Iran were likely to persist, while clarifying that France was not involved in these attacks. "France did not take part in the execution" of strikes against Iran, he stated, noting that this marks a new phase in the regional conflict.
Expressing concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions, Macron highlighted the threat posed by Iran's potential possession of nuclear arms to both regional and international security. "We can't live in a world where Iran owns a nuclear bomb," he asserted, criticizing Iran for continuing to enrich uranium without civilian justification and for abandoning its commitments to the international community, thus contributing to regional instability.