French Foreign Minister calls for a fresh start for U.S. & Europe

Michael Barnier, current foreign minister and (hopefully) the next president of France has called for a closer, more amiable relationship between France and the U.S. More pragmatic and less Gallist then Chirac, Barnier is someone that Bush could work with. He has expressed support for the Iraqi elections and encourages a negotiated settlement and a two state solution for the Palestinians, acknowledging America's necessary role. He is also less of a Francophile and more of a Europeanist who believes that a credible and strong Europe is good for the world. (Not that the bloody mess their making in Brussels is likely to lead to that.) He sees America as an ally, unlike Chirac, who sees America as a threat. Read more about his recent comments here.