Q- My question is about <a href="http://www.time.news/sea-shepherd-founder-paul-watson-arrested-in-greenland-amidst-ongoing-whaling-dispute-with-japan/" title="Sea Shepherd Founder Paul Watson Arrested in Greenland Amidst Ongoing Whaling Dispute with Japan“>Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd. Yesterday, Ms. Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the Minister for Ecological Transition, said that the facts she is accused of did not motivate and did not justify detention. So I want to ask you: does this mean that the French government considers the international arrest warrant issued by Japan to be unjustified? Is this the reason France did not detain or arrest Mr. Watson during his stay in France?
And secondly, I want to ask you, you are asking for French nationality, according to his lawyer. What is the government’s response?
R – Regarding your first point, regarding the arrest of Paul Watson, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, spoke this morning on the subject. I refer you to his comments, he was very clear, once again, regarding the position of France in relation to the situation of Paul Watson.
Regarding your second point, regarding the application for naturalization, this is an opportunity offered to him. Naturalization procedures are procedures carried out by the Ministry of the Interior. As a reminder, Mr. Watson was arrested in Denmark following an Interpol red notice from Japan. His case is being handled by Danish justice, and France fully respects the independence of Danish justice. The procedure continues. That is why I told you that I had no further comments to make to you at this point, and in particular on the issue of the arrest warrant. Of course the case of Paul Watson is being closely monitored, here in Paris, especially by the President of the Republic, in particular, following the case closely. And with regard to the question of naturalization, this is an option that is currently being examined. I don’t know if it has been filed yet. At the moment, this is a possibility that is offered and will be examined when the time comes, in relation to the rules related to naturalization applications submitted by foreign citizens.