Fillon's 'Realistic' Approach to Assad Can Help 'Break the Ice' on Syria

French presidential candidate Francois Fillon stands for including all warring parties of the Syrian conflict in settlement negotiations. According to French lawmaker Thierry Mariani, such an approach could contribute to finding a solution to the crisis.

Western diplomacy has "failed" to find a solution to the Syrian crisis, said Francois Fillon, the French presidential candidate from the Republicans party.

Fillon is regarded by many as the most likely candidate to win the 2017 French presidential election.

According to him, in order to put an end to the Syrian crisis, the West, in particular Europe, should come up with a "strong diplomatic initiative." He also said talks are crucial with those involved in the conflict, including Syrian President Bashar Assad.

In response to his comments, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault accused Fillon of "cynicism."

There is a significant difference between the French establishment and the opposition on the Syrian problem, according to Emmanuel Dupuis, director of the Institute of European Prospects and Security (IPSE).

"President Francois Hollande has been engaged in different peaceful settlement initiatives which, however, did not involve all warring parties. This is a big problem to find a global solution to such a long crisis. By contrast, Fillon says that in order to find a solution, we should involve all parties of the conflict," Dupuis said in an interview with Sputnik France.

Thierry Mariani, a lawmaker for the Republicans party, underscored that France has little influence on the Syrian issue.

"This discussion [between French politicians on Syria] is surrealistic. It does not depend on Paris whether Bashar Assad leaves or stays. In fact, all negotiations are underway between the Russians and the Americans, plus Iran and the Gulf monarchies. I suppose that no one is interested in what France thinks on the problem," Mariani told Sputnik France.

According to the lawmaker, France’s approach to the Syrian crisis is ineffective.

"The French government wants to fight terrorism and the Assad government at the same time. It does not want to send troops and hopes for an act of god. This is totally ineffective," he pointed out.

At the same time, according to Mariani, Fillon is a politician endorsing a completely different approach.

"In the person of Francois Fillon, France has a man trying to change the strategy. One may call it cynical realism but between the two evils I would prefer cynical realism over being detached from reality. This is not only France to blame. The whole Western strategy on Syria is wrong," he said.

The lawmaker expressed hope that Fillon’s stance could help "break the ice" on Syria.

"His approach is a realistic one. As for me, I believe that in foreign policy it is necessary deal with realities, not our own fantasies. And the current reality is that, like it or not, Assad is in power in Syria. He enjoys public support and chances are high that he will remain in power," Mariani concluded.

 

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