Today's Date:

FRANCE/EU/FRANCO-GERMAN TANDEM

THE MINISTER – (...) The EU leadership issue is essential. This entity, whose powers are so extensive, needs firm leadership. As everyone well knows, this is not the job of one or several member States, not France any more than any other. It's that of the European Council, Commission and European Parliament. And it's precisely so that the EU may be run more effectively, thanks to new ground rules, that we have adopted the Constitutional Treaty. As for Germany and France's joint action, everyone acknowledges that it has, for 50 years, taken Europe forward. When this tandem functions less well, everyone laments the fact and sees it as a brake on EU progress. For example, remember that in 2002 it was a Franco-German agreement which cleared the way for enlargement.

I'd say that this tandem is more and more necessary and less and less sufficient. Its natural role is to propose, not impose. This is why Berlin and Paris are keen to broaden their dialogue to include others, and in particular Poland.

FRANCE/EU ENLARGEMENT

THE MINISTER – This wrong idea, which I know to be quite widespread, must be corrected. France is one of the six founding members of the EU and successive enlargements have been possible only because she wanted them. This was the case for the Central and East European countries. It was our historical and political duty. It's also in our interest since, I repeat, with this enlargement Europe is more dynamic and stronger.

This is why, at each stage of this enlargement, France has actively contributed to taking it forward. Indeed, when President Chirac addressed your Parliament in 1996, he spoke out publicly in favour of Poland's rapid accession. And, right from the outset, France supported direct payment of agricultural subsidies and regional development assistance to the new member States.

France is among those who said – and still think – that enlargement has to go hand in hand with EU deepening and institutional reform. Otherwise, the enlarged EU would not be equal to the ambitions it can legitimately sustain.

UKRAINE/EU/FRANCE/TURKEY

THE MINISTER – I can perfectly understand the Poles' interest in the events which took place in Ukraine. Those who followed the political discussions in France in late November, early December will have noted that the French totally shared this interest. I should like, moreover, to pay tribute to the Ukrainian people who showed their courage, maturity and commitment to genuine democracy. I also salute Poland's involvement and the important part she played in defining a solution acceptable to everyone.

Relations between Ukraine and the European Union fall within the framework of the EU's new neighbourhood policy. We want a strong relationship with the Ukraine in this framework, and we must first make full use of this before thinking about developing it. I would add that the European Union is already by far the leading grant-funder in Ukraine. In the past ten years it has paid out over €1 billion in grants.

You talk about relations with Turkey: these have a different history. Back in 1963, that country was accepted as a natural future candidate for accession. Following large-scale reforms it has been recognized as eligible to open accession negotiations with Europe. But let's make no mistake here: the road has been a long one for Turkey and there's still a long way to go.

TRANSATLANTIC DISPUTE

THE MINISTER – There was indeed a difference of view between France and the United States on the very principle of military intervention in IraQ. This difference remains and, as President Jacques Chirac has said, history will decide. As far as we are concerned, we don't want to hark back. Today we need to enable the Iraqi people to regain control of their destiny, i.e. regain Iraq's full sovereignty. France intends to act with this aim in view at the United Nations as in IraQ.

Moreover, the United States and France have a historic, deep-rooted friendship. France is the United State's oldest ally! Our bilateral relations are very substantive; our dialogue, particularly at the UN and NATO, is constant and fruitful; we are actively cooperating in many areas, particularly in Africa, the Balkans and Afghanistan. President Chirac will shortly be going to the United States for a meeting with President Bush. I remain convinced that 2005 can and must be the year of the revitalization of transatlantic relations.

POLAND/FRANCE

THE MINISTER – I don't think so. The central element in our bilateral relations is now our common membership of the EU. And EU members share a community of destiny. They always succeed in overcoming their disagreements. This is why during President Kwasniewski's visit to Paris on 4 October 2004, our Heads of State decided to step up their dialogue. They agreed to hold annual summit consultations on the model of those we hold with Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy. The first summit of this type will be held in France next month.

On the economic front, our ties are very strong: France is the leading foreign investor in Poland and her leading trade partner! Our cooperation in the cultural, education and research fields has been strengthened by the "Nova Polska" season, the work on qualification recognition and an increase in the possibilities of vocational training for young Poles. Let me add that we are envisaging, in some sectors, opening up the French labour market to the Poles earlier.

EU CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE/CHRISTIAN VALUES

THE MINISTER – I think that our difference of view on this matter was linked to a misunderstanding on the concept of secularity (laοcitι). This word doesn't evoke the same memories in Poland as it does in France. In France, a country scarred for centuries by wars of religion, respect by the State of the principle of secularity offers the guarantee of the harmonious and tolerant coexistence of religions. In our view, it's important for all citizens, regardless of their religious faith, to find their views reflected in the European Constitution as they do in their national Constitution.

EU/CORPORATE TAXATION

THE MINISTER – I'm totally in favour of a market social economy as proposed in the Constitution. What does that mean? First of all, that our economies are competitive and that we have to work to improve their performance. Secondly, that this economic efficiency also benefits a model of society in which employment, high-quality public services and prospects are offered to everyone. Finally, that businesses are placed in a situation where economic competition isn't unfair. In this context, in France as elsewhere, there's a debate on the issue of relocations. These can be accepted, but it's difficult to accept them being encouraged by debatable terms of competition, for example, if, while benefiting from the single market and European funding, some countries have, in addition, an aggressive fiscal policy. This is why Germany and France are arguing for greater fiscal harmony at EU level. But we have never sought to impose high corporate taxation on anyone.

EU CONSTITUTION REFERENDA

THE MINISTER – We're adopting a positive approach to the ratification of the Constitution, and firstly in France. All the States are today engaged in the ratification process; two of them, Lithuania and Hungary, have already ratified the Treaty.

France, like Poland, has chosen to ratify the Treaty by referendum. President Chirac has just announced that this will take place before the summer. Our task, as the year begins, is to make this Constitution known to our fellow citizens and explain its significance to them. It doesn't change the nature of the EU but will allow it to take decisions more efficiently, be more democratic and better hold its own within the international community. Joint conferences, which will allow Polish and French leaders together to explain the issues involved in the Constitution, will be held in Poland throughout the first half of this year./.