PARIS, March 7. /TASS/. The French National Front intends to review France’s relations with states outside the European Union if its candidate wins the presidential election, and this particularly pertains to Russia, the party’s Secretary General, Nicolas Bay, told TASS.
Russia should be regarded "as a natural partner of France - historically and strategically," Bay stated. He pointed out that the program of the party’s candidate, Marine Le Pen, "contains 144 proposals, whose implementation could put France back on a normal track."
"First of all, it is essential that the country regains its national sovereignty," the politician asserted. Among the urgent objectives he cited the fight against "mass, uncontrolled migration." Based on this goal "it is necessary to suspend participation in the Schengen agreements and get back control over the borders," the party’s secretary general explained.
Focusing on foreign affairs, the MEP said "new talks will be needed with European Union partners on the whole package of agreements in order to restore the bedrock of France’s sovereignty - territorial, monetary, legislative and economic."
"We need to take a new look at our relations beyond the EU, especially with Russia, which we see as a natural partner - historically and strategically," the parliamentarian said. He believes that if Marine Le Pen is elected president, "France will get its own voice in a multi-polar world, based on independent nations and free peoples."
France’s presidential race will be held in two rounds scheduled for April 23 and May 7. Other contenders throwing their hat into the ring are Socialist nominee Benoit Hamon, ex-Economy Minister and now leader of the "En Marche!" political party Emmanuel Macron and former Prime Minister Francois Fillon. Socialist Francois Hollande announced in December that he would not run for another presidential term.