Today's Date:

THE PRESIDENT - We began by talking about the problems of EU enlargement which are, as you know, on the agenda for the Gothenburg Summit, and noted that the French and German positions were identical.

We then discussed the national debate which has started in both our countries and throughout the EU in preparation for the 2004 deadline. We spoke, of course, about the proposal made by the German Social Democratic Party (SPD). We talked about France's launch of the great national debate on this subject - we're a bit ahead here - and concluded that after everyone has had their say, according to the rules of the game, there will then definitely be a joint Franco-German position on what Europe is to be from 2004 onwards.

US MISSILE DEFENSE SHIELD

Finally, we discussed the problems arising in connection with the American proposals on their future defence strategy and here too we have a common position, i.e. we entirely agree that we should enter into the debate and dialogue in this field proposed by our American allies, even though we have some reservations at the moment. But all this has to be discussed together.

FRANCE/GERMANY

(...) These regular working meetings are absolutely necessary because we both clearly understand that Franco-German agreement, dialogue is essential for the building of tomorrow's Europe.

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THE PRIME MINISTER - (...) As each month passes, we are increasingly finding that we can really make progress on a number of issues, both those on which we don't see exactly eye to eye and those on which we can really be the engine of Europe's development.

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FUTURE OF EUROPE

Finally, as regards the debate on the future of Europe, looking ahead to 2004, we noted that it was getting under way.

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Q.- A question on the future of Europe. I'd very much like to know more about the French position with regard to Chancellor Schröder's proposals.

THE PRESIDENT - Let me start by saying that Chancellor Schröder doesn't have a position. There's an SPD position which, whatever you think of it, is perfectly legitimate and we are, of course, completely ready to discuss it even though we don't agree on particular aspects of its proposals. You have to admit that political parties in France have made - or will make - proposals which the Chancellor, or indeed we ourselves won't necessarily approve of. So all this is the great debate which is under way. The interesting thing about the great debate decided on at Nice is that everyone can have their say in it, that all the ideas will come out into the open. What I can tell you is that, when the time comes for a Franco-German proposal on the future of Europe and on what we shall be doing in 2004, there will be a common position./.