In initial remarks: The President returned to the topic of the current round of Iranian nuclear negotiations. You know that talks are underway, that they couldn’t be wrapped up a couple of weeks ago, and that they are resuming this weeks. Proposals were made and we are awaiting Iran’s response. But the President emphasized that Ali Khamenei’s remarks on Israel are unacceptable and complicate the negotiations.

In response to a question on whether France’s position had shifted: France’s position is the same. You could sum it up by saying that it’s firm but not rigid. That’s why, a couple of weeks ago, we were very demanding with respect to the text that was being negotiated, considering that all of the conditions were not yet in place to finalize a text. But at the same time we are not rigid, we obviously want these negotiations to succeed. A certain number of proposals have been made. We want a serious, solid agreement that provides all necessary guarantees.

It’s true that Ali Khamenei’s remarks this morning complicate the situation, because they are absolutely unacceptable. Nevertheless, the best thing is for the negotiations to continue and succeed, but you might say that the ball is in Iran’s court now. We are waiting for responses to the proposals that were put forward.”