US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that they were “very close” to a cease-fire agreement in Gaza as negotiations between Israel and Hamas continued. If it is not completed before the transfer of the presidency, the plan will be transferred to the Trump administration.
Blinken, who made his last official visit to France before leaving office, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot held a joint press conference following their contacts in the capital Paris. Making evaluations regarding Gaza, where Israel continues its attacks, Blinken said, “We are very close to a ceasefire and an agreement on the hostages in the Middle East.” Blinken said, “I hope we can achieve this in the time we have left (of the government), but if we cannot, the plan that President Biden has put forward for the ceasefire-hostage agreement will be transferred to the next administration. And when we achieve that agreement, and we will achieve it, I believe it will be based on the plan that President Biden presented to the world in May.”
POSSIBILITY FOR PERMANENT PEACE IN LEBANON On the other hand, Blinken said that more than a third of Israeli troops in Lebanon recently withdrew from the south of the country and that he thought a ceasefire “could be a bridge towards permanent peace.”
DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA Stating that “real hope” had emerged after the overthrow of the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, Blinken said that the US and France would continue to work together for a sovereign and prosperous Syria. In addition, Blinken said that Turkey had legitimate concerns about the PKK and terrorism and that the US was working very closely with its ally Turkey.
RUSSIA ACCUSES CHINA AND NORTH KOREA Also touching on the Ukraine issue, Blinken stated that the security of Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, is essential for the security of Europe and that France has assumed an important role in supporting Ukraine, and called on China and North Korea to
TRUMP’S GREENLAND STATEMENT Regarding US President-elect Donald Trump’s statements that Greenland should be under US control, Blinken stated that this was “clearly not a good idea” and would not happen. Blinken also noted that Musk had the right to express his opinions as a citizen regarding the statements of US businessman Elon Musk, who made statements in support of far-right groups in Europe and was accused of interfering in elections, especially in Germany, for this reason. Blinken made his last official visit to France after his contacts in Japan and South Korea. US President Joe Biden will hand over his seat to Donald Trump on January 20.
