The head of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the world will become more and more brutal

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Sunday that Paris will defend its principles in the face of increasingly frequent violations of international law. At the same time, he is preparing for the world to become more brutal. Barrot talked about this when asked about France's position on the US attack on Venezuela.

– France's position is that it should first be said that Nicolas Maduro was an unscrupulous dictator who deprived Venezuelans of their freedom and stole their elections. For this reason, his departure is good news for Venezuelans, the minister said on France 2 television.

However, he noted that, in Paris's opinion, the method used violated international law. – The use of force is permitted in international law (…), but it should be defined by rules. Without such rules, the world succumbs to the law of the stronger, said the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He then added that France is “preparing” for such a world and that is why it is important, among other things, quick adoption of the defense spending budget. However, Paris will “continue to defend its principles,” Barrot assured.

He defended President Emmanuel Macron's Saturday comment on the situation in Venezuela, in which the head of state did not refer to international law. Barrot explained that Macron expressed France's “ambition” regarding the further development of the situation and emphasized that such an ambition is a peaceful transformation in Venezuela.

He admitted again that violations of the principles of international law and respect for borders are “increasingly numerous.” France is “preparing for a harsher, more brutal world to be able to defend itself (against this – PAP),” said the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Macron's comment on Venezuela was criticized in France, among others. by former Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, who accused the president of “subordinating” himself to the United States. Villepin expressed the assumption that Macron is “afraid not to irritate” US President Donald Trump because he feels that the Ukraine issue is more important now. Villepin, however, recognized that these issues are related and that “not reacting to what is happening in Venezuela is weakening the negotiations on Ukraine.” Villepin is still remembered for his speech at the UN in 2003, when he opposed the American intervention in Iraq.

From Paris Anna Wróbel (PAP)

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