- Title: French conservative favourite Fillon's relations with Russia praised by Putin
- Date: 23rd November 2016
- Summary: LYON, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 22, 2016) (REUTERS) FRENCH CENTRE-RIGHT PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY CANDIDATE FOR SECOND ROUND, FRANCOIS FILLON, ARRIVING AT RALLY
- Embargoed: 8th December 2016 16:39
- Keywords: France Russia Putin Fillon Syria presidential election
- Location: PARIS, LYON, TOULOUSE AND RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE AND MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: PARIS, LYON, TOULOUSE AND RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE AND MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: France
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00159O269Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: PLEASE NOTE THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
Former Prime Minister Francois Fillon, favourite to become the French centre-right's candidate for president in an election next year was praised by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (November 23) for trying to improve ties with Russia.
French officials have been pressing for an extension of European Union sanctions against Moscow over its actions in Ukraine and suggested that further sanctions over its role in Syria may be necessary given the Russian-backed Syrian government attacks on rebel-held areas of Aleppo.
Fillon, who said on Monday that Russia did not constitute a security threat and it was "completely stupid" to push it away, is in favour of closer ties with the Kremlin.
Fillon's comments are in tune with some in the French foreign policy establishment who accuse President Francois Hollande of pursuing an American-aligned "neo-conservative" agenda and thus weakening Europe as a whole.
For French Member of Parliament and Fillon supporter Pierre Lellouche, France needs to engage in discussions with Russia.
"We need to talk to the Russians, we must not turn them into enemies because they are not, they should be partners and one should talk to them and understand that, you know, it's tough, it's a tough negotiation, but at least negotiate, not stay outside," Lellouche said.
Fillon meets another former prime minister Alain Juppe in a runoff vote on Nov. 27 for the conservative ticket. Juppe is more critical vis-a-vis Russia and its alliance with the Syrian government.
"The difference is that Fillon is maybe too keen to speak with Russia, to engage maybe too easily in Putin's path and though Russia is important, Alain Juppe's position seems much more balanced," French politician and Juppe supporter Philippe Gosselin said.
But, given the 44 percent of the votes Fillon secured in Sunday's first round of voting for the centre-right nomination, many see him as being in pole position for a showdown with far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the election next spring.
Fillon also sought to clarify his position on the crisis in Syria. Under his premiership, Paris closed its embassy in Damascus in 2012, two years after he travelled to Syria to meet President Bashar al-Assad to promote bilateral ties.
He has previously proposed restoring some diplomatic links with Assad, although he has said the Syrian leader cannot be a long-term solution. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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