Brussels, 17/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The French president, François Hollande, believes in a Europe travelling at several different speeds, with the eurozone representing its hard core. He explained that “my vision is a Europe that moves forward at different speeds, consisting of different concentric circles. They can be called an 'avant-garde', 'precursor states' or a 'hard-core'. What they are called is of little importance, it is the idea that counts. We have a eurozone and it has a heritage, the single currency. It requires new governance. This eurozone must develop a political dimension. I am in favour of Eurogroup (which brings together finance ministers) being strengthened and that the president of this group has a clear mandate, which is sufficiently long. I also support a monthly meeting of heads of state and government of this zone … The Council of the eurozone will help to better co-ordinate the economic policy and to make appropriate decisions, country by country. This does not mean excluding other countries: those that want to join the eurozone will be involved in our debates. Some countries do not want to and that is their choice … there is also the Europe of 27, which will soon be 28, and even more in the future. This is political area of solidarity, an extended market, a will to develop economic, social and cultural convergence. I want to give it a new boost for youth, universities, research and energy. This large Union must not, however, prevent strengthened cooperation, this strengthened cooperation that some states want and which will develop the resources in addition to those provided within the European budget. This will be the case with the tax on financial transactions”. The French president illustrated his vision in an interview published on Wednesday 17 October in several European newspapers. With regard to the European Parliament, the French president believes that, “if the euro zone undergoes further structuring, it will be perfectly capable of defining democratic procedures for the Eurozone”. (MB/transl.fl)