IIPS
Public Lectures
22 July 2003
Capitol Tokyu Hotel, Tokyo

French Foreign Policy towards Europe and Japan
Speaker: His Excellency Bernard de Faubournet de Montferrand
Report by Yutaka Ohama (senior research fellow, IIPS)

On 22 July the Institute for International Policy Studies, with the assistance of the Nippon
Foundation, hosted a speech on the topic of French foreign policy, delivered by Bernard deMontferrand, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Japan.
The ambassador began by describing
France’s existing foreign policy towards theEuropean Union, and the increase in French
foreign affairs activity in recent years thathas resulted from EU enlargement. He
stated that the most important factors
underlying French foreign policy are the
new global environment, the emergence ofan international community that isextremely open, and the tremendous resultsthat have been achieved thanks to the willofnumerous
countries
andtheirparticipation in the decision-making process.
Clearly, one objective of French diplomacy is the defense of French interests—a conceptthat is not confined to the defense of material interests alone, but which also encompasses thenotions of defending certain moral principles and of placing a premium on treasured nationalvalues.
French foreign policy has placed
considerable emphasis on EU integration—
an issue whose significance increased
substantially with the collapse of the Soviet
Union. EU integration is a profoundly
significant proposition whose fundamental
aim is European peace and security throughamicable relations between France andGermany—two countries that have fallen
into conflict several times in the past,
throwing Europe into chaos in the process.
Integration is also a basic requirement for
European prosperity, and there are manyfine examples of integration in several different areas, such as continuing peace and security,and the strong currency. Individually the deutschmark and the French franc would be
relatively weak as international currencies; however, monetary union—the adoption of the©Institute for International Policy Studies 2003

euro—has afforded both countries a strong position internationally. Their ability to work
together will also be highly beneficial in the face of other challenges, such as regional peaceefforts and refugee problems. The EU has stepped up efforts to establish the infrastructurenecessary to protect its own interests; this will in turn contribute immensely to global stability.
Meanwhile, the union is expected to grow to 27 countries, with a combined population of450 million: thus, it will become even more diverse than it is at present, necessitating a much
more focused effort on integration. Hence, an EU executive branch—which will giveintegration a central focus—must be clearly delineated. A concrete executive branch will lend
stability to integration and improve efficiency. A logical first step would be to create the postof EU foreign minister. In addition, transparency in all institutions must be increased and thewill of the people clarified.
Ambassador Montferrand proceeded todiscuss the importance of transatlantic
relations. France has maintained analliance with the United States that
predates even the Declaration of
Independence of 1776. The two countries
have never made war on each other, enjoystrong ties under normal circumstances,and have generally maintained aharmonious relationship with one another.
Today, transatlantic relations continue tobe founded on Article 5 of the North
Atlantic Treaty. NATO was founded at atime when Europe was weak and it served as a bulwark against the threat posed by the USSR.
Since then, prosperity has returned to Europe, its unity has been strengthened, and the Soviet
Union has collapsed (and thus ceased to pose a threat). These new conditions call for athorough rethinking of NATO, and a new balance must be sought between politics,economics, and a host of other issues. These changes will be reinforced over the next 20 to 30
years, mutual understanding will run deeper, and the partnership will become stronger,
allowing the transatlantic relationship to be restored to a sound footing once again. The EU
will be successful in Bosnia, Macedonia, and other regions, will become more robust, andwill lay the groundwork for multipolar stability within the international community.
In response to questions from the audience, the ambassador concluded by reiterating theimportance of the European Union and the need for a positive attitude towards the resolutionof outstanding issues.

©Institute for International Policy Studies 20032