Prime Minister Ehud Olmert:

Good evening.

Aliza and I are proud to host the President of France, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, and Mrs. Sarkozy, at our home in Jerusalem.  The President of France is an important guest and a great friend of Israel's.  I remember our first meeting before he became President. He told me then: I was Israel's friend, I am Israel's friend and I will remain Israel's friend. I wholeheartedly thank him for his deep and warm friendship toward the State of Israel, before and since he became President of one of the most important countries in the world.

In recent years, the relations between France and Israel have grown stronger, and we are sure that under President Sarkozy's term, this trend will continue.  I particularly wish to note the fact that at the beginning of his election campaign for the French Presidency, Nicolas Sarkozy spoke of the profound impression his visit to Yad Vashem made on him. We remember with deep gratitude his battle against anti-Semitism when he was Minister of the Interior in France.  Today we had a reminder of the manifestations of anti-Semitism, when a 16-year old Jewish boy was severely injured as a result of an anti-Semitic act in France, and I know that this President will continue to combat anti-Semitism, as he did before he became President.

We intend to hold discussions on a wide variety of issues, including President Sarkozy's initiative to strengthen the connection between the Mediterranean states at a conference he is planning to hold on July 13.  Israel supports President Sarkozy's important plan.  We will, of course, also discuss the bilateral relations and the continued economic, cultural and scientific cooperation between our countries.  I particularly want to thank the President for his determination in the international battle against the threat of a nuclear Iran.  President Sarkozy has taken a firm, important and unequivocal stand in this battle, and Israel values and welcomes the cooperation on this issue as well.

Finally, we plan to discuss, of course, issues relating to the peace negotiations between Israel, the Palestinians and the Syrians, as well as the situation in the region.  I am very curious to hear the President's estimates and opinions, given his extensive activity in the diplomatic arena, both regionally and internationally.

We are thrilled, Mr. President, that you and your wife came to visit us in the State of Israel.  I thank you for coming to our home, and am very pleased about the personal, warm and friendly attitude which you and your country are showing toward the State of Israel.

President Nicolas Sarkozy:

Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for your invitation to this dinner.  For a President of the French Republic, a trip and a visit to Israel is always a very exciting and emotional experience.  This visit is very meaningful, not only because of the very large Jewish community in France and the very active francophone community in Israel, but because of what Israel represents for France and the world.  You are a great democracy, and the relations between Israel and France go far beyond the political trials and tribulations, both in France and in Israel.  I want to tell you, Mr. Prime Minister, how much France supports all peace initiatives, including the indirect dialogue with the Syrians, and anything which might lead to calm and mutual understanding.  France will support all this.

I want to say to Israelis that I understand full well the suffering and the pain of the many victims throughout history.  It required a great deal of courage for Israelis to come this far.  True, you must be strong to survive.  True, you must not capitulate to terrorism.  At the same time, peace is not built only by force, but rather through dialogue and by extending a hand.  It requires serious effort, deep understanding and the need to put aside so much suffering.  Every time Israel has done something greater, it has done so on behalf of peace and not war.

Mr. Prime Minister, tomorrow at the Knesset I will have an opportunity to discuss all these issues.  I want each and every one in Israel to understand that France does not want to preach to anyone, certainly not to Israelis, and that France knows full well that peace is first and foremost in the hands of Israelis and Palestinians.  You are the ones who will be living next to each other, you are the ones who must accept each other.  We cannot do anything in your place, but we can help you economically and politically and help you by saying that France will never allow Israel's security to be hung in the balance.  But every time France can say to Israel's enemies: go toward peace, make progress toward peace, make more and more gestures in order to build peace, France will do so and will support you, simply because France is your friend.

Thank you.