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French President Nicolas Sarkozy during the opening of the annual diplomatic conference in presence of France's ambassadors and the French government.
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PARIS (EJP)---President Nicolas Sarkozy reiterated his appeal to Israel for a freeze on all Jewish settlements and said he will meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris next week.
"In early September I will receive President Abbas to encourage him to accelerate the renewxal of structures that in the near future will govern the Palestinian State. And I hope that today’s meeting between the Prime Minister of Israel and the US President’s envoy will finally lead to a specific, complete freeze on settlements and the revival of negotiations," he said on Wednesday in his annual foreign policy speech to France's ambassadors in Paris.
"If that is the case, France, together with Egypt, with the agreement of the Swedish EU presidency and in concert with the United States, will invite all the member countries of the Union for the Mediterranean to hold a scond summit this fall that would accompany the resumption of all three tracks of the peace negotiations," Sarkozy added.
"It’s time to settle this conflict. One musn’t wait any longer. Wait for what?," he said.
"Israel is not alone. We will not accept that his securitry be jeopardized but we have also the right to say that it is an error to think that one can continue a process of settlement and hope for peace".
"The real friendfs of Israel must tell him the truth: the truth is that there will be no peace if settlement is continued," he said.
"This can please or not but when you are a friend you are demanding and frank."
President Sarkozy also floated the possibility of "severe" new sanctions against Iran if it continues its nuclear activities.
"These are the same leaders, in Iran, who tell us that the nuclear program is peaceful and that the elections were honest. Frankly, who believes them?" he asked.
Sarkozy says France will support new harsh economic sanctions and stronger inspection powers for the International Atomic Energy Agency if Iran does not suspend activities.
“If Iran doesn’t change its policy, we are headed straight for a major crisis," he added.
Sarkozy reached out to Iran's ally Syria, however, proposing to facilitate talks between Syria and Israel "if the two parties confirm their wish to do so."