PARIS, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- France wants to develop "rapidly close relations" with the new U.S. administration, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told the press here on Thursday.
"Our interests with the United States, our common history, our shared values will continue to govern, I am sure, our relations with this country", he said.
Ayrault added that " France and the United States are allies, it will not change. European Union, which has contributed so much to the peace and prosperity of our continent, will remain a strong and useful partner for the United States."
However, Ayrault stressed that faced with the "unilateral temptation" or the idea that "deals" might be enough to settle the affairs of the world, "France, I say, will make its voice heard."
Focusing primarily on dialogue, Ayrault reaffirmed his determination to find "by discussion a common ground on the most central issues of the moment, in particular the fight against terrorism to which the United States and France contribute worldwide."
