euro|topics - Valérie Niquet

22/11/2008

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Niquet, Valérie

3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.

Le Figaro - France | 22/04/2008

A Chinese headache for French diplomacy

Valerie Niquet, researcher at the French Institute for international relations (IFRI), explains why relations between France and China are especially tense, even though the Olympic torch was protested in other countries as well. "Behind the Olympics, the issues are very political, and even strategic. In this struggle, China needs complacent allies and it's as a disappointed lover watching France abandon its role as 'a friend of China', that Beijing deals with Paris today, which is not the case with Berlin, London or Washington. ... France will soon lead Europe for a six-month stint, and its 'bad example' could spread. In these circumstances, putting on the pressure is also a way of warning Paris against any temptation to be firm. ... [France] is a weak link. [Sarkozy's] tendency to change his mind leaves China hoping that there will by a policy reversal if the pressure is kept up."

Le Figaro - France | 26/11/2007

China is counting on France in Europe

Valérie Niquet, director of the Asian department in the Institut Français des Relations Internationals (IFRI), underlines what China expects of France as Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in the country for a three day visit on Sunday, November 25th. "In Europe, there is the example, considered disastrous by Chinese leaders, of Germany, a long time pillar along with France in Chinese activity on the continent. The Chancellor, following the United States, Australia, Canada and Japan, has just received the Dalai Lama in an open act of defiance regarding the strong influence of Chinese authorities. ... Paris will be taking over the European presidency in 2008. Beijing would like to see France play a positive role for Chinese interests in two key fields: the suppression of the embargo on arms sales, which China has not given up, and the granting of market economy status [which the EU refused to give it in 2004]."

Le Nouvel Observateur - France | 28/09/2007

The EU at loose ends over Burma

Sarah Halifa-Legrand interviews Valérie Niquet, director of the Asian department of The French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), on the use of sanctions against Burma. "Sarkozy's first declaration demanding the withdrawal of French investment in Burma, which mainly concerned Total, was an audacious but naïve demand, being very difficult to put in practice. It was probably a means of responding to the French population's emotional reaction towards the situation in Burma. ... The withdrawal of investments, sanctions, basically the strategy of marginalising the regime, is nothing new and we can see the results today: they actually made things easier for China. A power far less scrupulous about human rights has taken over. ... New sanctions will not change the situation so long as Beijing doesn't join in."