France's priority in Mideast is release of hostages, says president

ANKARA

France’s priority is to ensure the release of the people held hostage by the Palestinian group Hamas since Oct. 7, said the president on Thursday.

Paris is especially interested in freeing French nationals and bi-nationals, and discussions are continuing, Emmanuel Macron told a joint news conference in Bern with his Swiss counterpart Alain Berset.

"There will never be security for Israel unless there is a political solution to the Palestinian issue," Macron added during his two-day visit to Switzerland.

Palestinian group Hamas has reportedly held some 240 people hostage since the group’s surprise Oct. 7 on southern Israel, followed by Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, which have drawn heavy international criticism for killing thousands of children and targeting civilian facilities such as schools and hospitals.

Macron reiterated France's support for "Israel's right to defend itself," saying that this should be done while protecting civilian life and respecting humanitarian rules.

He also hailed good cooperation with Switzerland and said: "You may not know it, but you are already Europeans."

"Europe is a chance for Switzerland, and Switzerland is a chance for Europe," Macron added, stressing that they share common positions on topics including migration, energy, and defense.

Berset, for his part, stressed that his country places great importance on international humanitarian law, dialogue, and discussions.

He also cited Switzerland's continuing efforts on the UN Security Council to bring up the issue of the protection of civilians in Gaza.

Switzerland, one of 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council, has a two-year seat in the council for 2023 and 2024.