Paris, Jan 20, SPA -- French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said early Thursday that a new relationship between his country and the United States must be based on mutual respect, and that France would not be the only party to make concessions. "It must not be that France alone makes concessions (in the relationship)," Barnier told CNN,on the eve of the inauguration of President George W. Bush. "A new relationship means that we respect each other mutually. We are allies." Relations between Washington and Paris, traditionally edgy, turned bitter because of France's firm opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq. "The French can evolve, the Americans also," Barnier said. "To evolve, discussions must be frank, direct, clear. Each must take a step toward the other." --SPA 1316 Local Time 1016 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/233870