NICOLAS SARKOZY, PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC (2007–2012) EUROPE: QUO VADIS?
In the format of talks with eminent people, at SPIEF 2016 an event was held with the participation of ex-President of France Nicolas Sarkozy.
Answering questions put by Sergey Brilev, TV anchor and Deputy Director of Russia TV Channel, Nicolas Sarkozy said he had come because the relations between Russia and Europe today are not what they should be. Only real friends come when things are really bad. I do not want another Cold War. It is not in the interest of either Europe or Russia.
The Berlin Wall has come down. Russia is a free country. The history of our civilization should help us work hand in hand. My question: “Where is Europe going?”
We have lived in this world only for the last 70 years. Before that, there were constant wars in Europe. Europe has seen more wars than any other continent. Today, the European Union must not be allowed to break up.
The European idea is out of date and the EU should be updated. We must become truly independent. I believe in our links with America, but I want France to be absolutely free from American influence. Today, that’s not the case.
Europe must protect itself against uncontrolled migratory flows. Over the 4.5 billion years our planet has been in existence, we are now experiencing a demographic explosion. There are now 7 billion people in the world and soon there will be 9 billion and, by 2100, already 11 billion.
If the populations of Europe and Russia are added, we get 600.0–650.0 million people, which is only 10.0% of the total global population. Can we really afford to fight one another?
We have the same roots, the same writers. We love the same music, have the same feelings. We belong to one and the same civilization, we have the same identity.
The global axis of population numbers has shifted. Of the 7.0 billion people, 4.0 billion live in Asia. If the population of the USA is added to that of Europe and Russia, we only get just about 800.0 million. So we must renew Europe, in order to make it able to protect itself and become more independent.
We must support peaceful relations with Russia, work with it on these problems and expend all our diplomatic efforts to stabilise the situation in the Middle East.
I am told that Russian behave like hooligans in Europe. I would like to ask: “Where is Russia going? What does it want?”. Russia is the biggest country in the world. In the 1990s, we thought that Russia had been crossed off the world map. In 2016, nobody thinks that anymore. Russia has regained its historical place, but in doing so, it must also assume obligations.
No one denies the authority of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia must be one of the strongest countries in the world. We need Russia in order to resolve the drama in Syria. Russia must do everything possible to prevent there being two coalitions where there should be one. Vladimir Putin’s leadership could help us; without him and Russia, we will not be able to resolve the Syria problem.
As for Ukraine. We resolved the Georgia problem in four days. If we don’t do something about the Ukraine problem, it can only get worse. Time is against us.
I believe the sanctions should be lifted. We have enough problems without them. The stronger side should reach out first. The stronger side is Russia – meaning Russia and President Vladimir Putin. I am his friend and we always speak frankly and honestly.
You have family relations with Ukraine. These are the most complex relations, because feelings are involved. Ukraine is a bridge between Russia and Europe. Of the 42.0 million people living in Ukraine, 30.0% speak Russian. Ukraine is a friend of Russia and a friend of Europe. Ukraine and Russia will always live together.
Together with Russia, Europe, Ukraine, Belarus and Turkey, we could build a new common space in the world, a space of friendship and agreement. That is our goal.
I am grateful to the French business representatives in Russia and believe that they should continue working in Russia, as before. The more agreements and contracts there are, the better we will understand one another.
The idea that confrontation is growing between Russia and Europe is a dangerous misconception. Back in 2010, I believe Russia would join our alliance to combat jihadism.
Great care should be taken concerning the question of prolonging the sanctions. I suggested to President Putin that he lift his own sanctions and European would follow this movement. Sanctions are a move backwards. I proposed getting out of this system of sanctions but you must be the first to say this, then everyone else will follow suit. This would not be a sign of weakness on Russia’s part.
The programme needs to be changed, to prevent the world and stability suffering from all this. Nothing will come right on its own. The negative dynamics have to be interrupted. That is my peace initiative. It must come from you. No one must influence the relations between Europe and Russia. We need to speak about new approaches in governing the world. If you want to get out of this crisis, look to the future. If not, look to the past.
