Tag: France

As France fails to make in-depth changes to its pension system, the European Commission expressed concerns over the additional burden it could place on the private sector’s competitiveness. 

French farmers’ associations have accused the European Commission of responsibility for the “lack of regulation” which has led to an overproduction of eggs and a drop of prices below production costs. 

French motorists continue to register new models of Mercedes-Benz despite a government ban, but the damage may already be done to sales of the German luxury car.

Some EU governments could be given greater leeway to meet budget targets, the European Commission said in proposing a liberal interpretation of its rules to counter accusations that spending cuts are holding back the economy.

France’s research potential in developing countries needs to be streamlined, French Senator Kalliopi Ango Ella tells EurActiv. 

The soaps industry on Friday (7 June) launched a campaign to get Europeans to use a 30ºC washing cycle, saying just a 3º heat drop in a few countries would save enough energy to power the Italian city of Parma for a year.

The recent tension between the French authorities and Brussels over the European Commission's recommendations for reform show more than ever the need to clarify the scope of national and joint powers in economic and social matters, says Yves Bertoncini.

Italy said French President François Hollande's call for a joint European economic government should be considered, Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said on Friday (17 May).

German Chancellor Angela Merkel may not have a "bosom friendship" with her French counterpart, she said on Thursday, but her working relationship with François Hollande was strong and crucial for Europe.

France’s appetite for fair-trade products lags behind European counterparts, with the sector turning increasingly to producers in the developing world for a recovery solution, EurActiv France and Germany report.

EXCLUSIVE / The European Union will never receive enough public support for federalism and so should abandon the idea of a United States-inspired superstate, says the influential French Socialist former minister Hubert Védrine.

Up to 5% of European Union products labelled as beef contain horsemeat, according to results published by the European Commission yesterday (16 April).

France and Germany are interested in preserving their alliance, because the survival of the European Union depends on it. But France clearly is beginning to feel the effects of the political and economic reconfiguration of Europe that began two decades ago, writes Stratfor.

No major announcement marked the 50th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty, perhaps unsurprisingly, but the adoption of two new texts shows the French and Germans are still making steps towards further cooperation. EurActiv France reports.

Despite tensions over the management of the eurozone debt crisis, the Franco-German relation has bright days ahead of itself, according to Thomas Klau, head of the Paris Office at the European Council on Foreign Relations. The two countries celebrate today (21 January) the 50 years of the signing of the Elysée Treaty.

After the French intervention, the jihadists in Mali will have an opportunity to use their superior knowledge of the terrain, local indigenous militia relationships, and guerrilla tactics to inflict casualties on their enemies, writes Stratfor. 

Three-quarters of French and 70% of Germans want their countries to harmonise tax and fiscal policy, according to an opinion poll carried out for the German Embassy in Paris. EurActiv France reports.

The leaders of France and Italy pledged on Monday (3 December) to push ahead with a high-speed rail link between Lyon and Turin despite a row over EU spending.

Moody's stripped France of its prized triple-A badge yesterday (19 November), cutting the sovereign credit rating on Europe's No. 2 economy by one notch to Aa1 from Aaa, citing an uncertain fiscal outlook and deteriorating economy.

France’s plan to merge its railway and infrastructure operations has drawn criticism and a call for the European Commission to block the move.

A controversial study pointing to health risks from a type of genetically modified maize and a related pesticide did not provide grounds for questioning previous safety approvals, the French government said on Monday (22 October). But Paris also urged the EU to revamp its food safety procedures and said it would maintain its national moratorium on GM goods.