Franco-Russian Dialogue Association Calls for Normal Cooperation with Russia to be Promptly Re-established

Today, with terror attacks a tragically regular part of the newsflow, it is more vital than ever that we turn our backs on the destructive policies of division and disunity.

The obstacle that the so-called EU sanctions and Russian countermeasures present is deeply divisive, splitting our countries along more than political lines. Two years of mutual accusation have prevented us from setting in place an effective economic dialogue, nullifying the many years of work put in to establishing partner relations between our two countries. The level of bilateral exchange has clearly fallen, industrial collaboration initiatives are on hold, including in the financial, energy, transport and military sectors. And French companies risk losing strategic markets for the long term.

Association members - key representatives of business, public, and cultural communities in both countries - in fact see extensive demand for cooperation and the return to mutual trust between France, Russia, and all countries open to dialogue. It is crucial that we finally recognise that the only impact of a policy based on mutual limits will be to destroy the whole spectrum of links between our peoples.

Today, it is time to raise the issue of who is responsible for the non-fulfilment of the Minsk Agreement. Russia must not be made to shoulder the full burden of resolving the Ukraine crisis, especially as Russia has never been party to the Minsk Agreement. France and Russia have already made significant headway towards creating Minsk-2, have helped establish dialogue between the parties to the conflict, and have made a great contribution to achieving a ceasefire in South East Ukraine.

It is possible to avoid any further extension of the sanctions in June - all that requires is one brave voice calling for them to be lifted. This could be France, which would highlight this great country's sovereign policy.

We hope to see a swift return to normal economic and strategic cooperation, which is both in Russia's interests, and in the interests of France and the French people.

Statement adopted at the General Assembly of Franco-Russian Dialogue, 29 March 2016, Paris

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