Cécile Barbière for EURACTIV.fr in Paris
Brussels rings French deficit alarm
The European Commission has issued a warning about imbalances in France's economy. But an excessive budget deficit threatens to expose the country to first-time sanctions.
Paris wants national permits for GM maize
France is trying to modify EU legislation on the authorisation of GMOs, but the process is all but smooth.
European Court of Justice allows free use of hyperlinks
The European Court of Justice has ruled in favour of the free use of hyperlinks to online articles but the issue of remuneration remains open.
French MPs strengthen development aid policy
The French parliament adopted the first law on development aid and international solidarity this week (10 February) and is expected bring back to the fore the debate on French assistance to developing countries.
French aid transparency more successful in second round
After some hurdles, France has relaunched its website dedicated to the transparency of development aid in Mali.
Maltese EU citizenship sale angers MEPs
Malta’s decision to sell passports, hence European citizenship, for €650,000 to non-EU residents, without any prerequisite whatsoever, not even residence in Malta, has angered MEPs, who debated the issue Wednesday (15 January).
Schulz explains Europe to Paris suburb school kids
The president of the European parliament, accompanied by his French counterpart, paid a visit to high school students in the Parisian suburbs of Seine-Saint-Denis, where abstention at EU elections hit record low levels in 2009.
France moves ahead on posted workers without waiting for EU
As the EU elections approach, France is pressing ahead to strengthen safeguards against the abuse of low-cost foreign workers within Europe, without waiting for the European institutions to hammer out the final text of the revised EU Posted Workers Directive.
French bash EU for failed Ukraine deal
Since negotiations between the EU and Ukraine collapsed in November, criticism in France about the way the talks were handled is starting to get louder, EURACTIV France reports.
Niger and France reach impasse on uranium talks
Negotiations between Niger and the French nuclear energy conglomerate Areva have hardened as the two sides seek to reach an agreement on uranium extraction in the Western African country. EURACTIV.fr reports.
French government approves new legal framework for development aid
The French government has adopted a draft law outlining development aid policy priorities but failed to clarify how it will be financed.
EU challenges US hegemony in global internet governance
French lawmakers, supported by the EU's Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes, are pressing the European Union to stand up more firmly against American domination in cyberspace.
France reaffirms opposition to shale gas exploration
French Environment Minister Philippe Martin reiterated his government’s strong opposition to the exploitation of shale gas, despite a parliamentary report advocating more flexibility towards unconventional gas.
European Central Bank concerned over mobile payments security
The ever growing innovation on the mobile payments market, from contactless cards to digital wallets, has attracted the attention of the European Central Bank (ECB), which has launched a public consultation on mobile payments security for all involved stakeholders. EURACTIV France reports.
Erasmus+ wants to reach beyond university students
A new and updated version of the European exchange programme will be accessible to more people and receive a 40% budget increase. EURACTIV France reports.
France looks for EU allies in fight against low-cost workers
The French government is seeking support to tackle social dumping by revising the EU posted workers directive but its efforts are meeting with firm opposition from the UK and Eastern European countries.
France to cancel more debt for the world’s poorest countries
Foreign debt cancellations are expected to reach new highs in France's 2014 development aid budget, with Somalia, Zimbabwe, Chad, Ivory Coast and Sudan in line for a complete deletion of their national debt.
French Greens prepare for 2015 UN climate conference in Paris
The French Greens have called on European countries to adopt a unified stance at the 2015 UN climate conference, underlining the importance of supporting Poland in its energy transition.
Minimum wage issue resurfaces in Paris election debate
Proposals for a continental minimum wage and jobs-creation dominated the first of a series of European Parliament panel debates in Paris on Tuesday (15 October), as EU-wide elections approach. EURACTIV.fr reports.
MEP: Dublin II migrant law is killing European solidarity
In an interview with EURACTIV France, French MEP Veronique Mathieu Houillon has called on EU member states to revise the Dublin II regulation, so that it states which member states are responsible for asylum claims.
Parliament pressures Commission for better meat origin labelling
MEPs have sent a letter to Health Commissioner Tonio Borg asking for better meat origin labelling but the EU executive's position remains unclear.
Green Climate Fund meets amid cash problems
The board of the Green Climate Fund meets in Paris this week to help developing countries adapt to climate change and reduce emissions. EURACTIV.fr reports.
French website sheds light on development aid to Mali
A new website launched by the French government aims to improve the transparency of development aid money given to Mali but has attracted harsh criticism for failing to comply with international standards. EURACTIV.fr reports..jpeg)