Reuters AlertNet Lite - France seeks closer ties, car talks with Germany

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

France seeks closer ties, car talks with Germany

19 Dec 2008 19:25:07 GMT
Source: Reuters

PARIS, Dec 19 (Reuters) - France's new European affairs minister Bruno Le Maire said on Friday he wanted to strengthen ties with neighbouring Germany and had suggested that Berlin and Paris discuss helping their automobile sectors.

Le Maire, a German speaker, widely viewed as having been appointed to help improve France's difficult relations with its traditional European partner, said Paris and Berlin should look at how they could jointly help their ailing carmakers.

"I suggested to my German counterpart that we open a discussion on the issue of the automobile industry," he told France Info radio after his first trip to Germany since taking over from Jean-Pierre Jouyet on Saturday.

"If we can look at the challenges facing the two industries on either side of the Rhine, look at what are the appropriate responses that could be provided later, that will already be a first step forward," he said.

France and Germany are home to some of Europe's biggest carmakers and the leaders of both countries have said they will not abandon those companies in the global economic slowdown. Le Maire said his appointment as Secretary of State for European Affairs at the foreign ministry, where he works under Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, was a signal to Berlin that Paris wanted a thaw in relations.

The two sides have clashed over an EU-wide economic stimulus plan, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy publicly lamenting that German Chancellor Angela Merkel was not prepared to spend more on kickstarting her country's economy.

"They perfectly understood the message sent by the president, the prime minister and Bernard Kouchner, which is the message that with a secretary of state who speaks German and likes Germany we wanted to try to build something new and stronger with Germany," Le Maire said.

"The message was heard and I would say that it was read loud and clear. Now it has to become reality," he said.

French media have reported that Sarkozy is seeking to retain a strong degree of influence within the European Union after France hands over the rotating EU presidency to the Czech Republic at the end of the month.

Le Maire, however, said France would seek to support the Czech Republic during its presidency and help Prague carry out its European duties to the full.

"In the area of the economy, for example, on the response to the crisis, close cooperation with the outgoing presidency will be useful," he said, adding that Paris could also help prepare for a second Irish vote on an EU reform treaty. (Reporting by Francois Murphy and Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Dominic Evans)

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

NGO latest

• Welthungerhilfe and terre des hommes criticise the fall in development assistance
Deutsche Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action) - Germany

MORE >>

Latest news

• France seeks closer ties, car talks with Germany

• FACTBOX-Military deaths in Afghanistan

• Mystery shrouds U.N. Niger envoy's disappearance

• Q+A - Mystery surrounds U.N. Niger envoy's disappearance

• (Blank Headline Received)

MORE >>

AlertNet news is provided by