French President Francois Hollande said Friday he would “clarify positions” with US president-elect Donald Trump during “frank” telephone discussions later in the day.
“I will have to clarify and seek clarification on positions. We must speak frankly to each other,” Hollande told France 2 television on the sidelines of France’s Armistice commemorations.
On Wednesday, the Socialist president had said the Republican billionaire’s election win “opens a period of uncertainty” and offered only brief congratulations.
“Donald Trump has been elected, my duty is to ensure that we have the best relations but on the basis of frankness and clarity,” Hollande, who declared a few months ago Trump’s excesses “make you want to retch,” said Friday.
The French leader cited the fight against terrorism, the battle against the ISIL and the conflict in eastern Ukraine among the subjects he wished to discuss.
He underscored the “long friendship” between France and the US and underscored the solidarity shown by Americans during a series of ‘jihadist’ attacks on French soil over the past two years.
“Each time the American people were by our side,” he said, adding: “Our two peoples are very closely connected.”
Source: AFP
