14/01/2022 (Agence Europe) – The European Parliament negotiating team and the French Presidency of the EU Council met for the first time to discuss the text of the directive on minimum wages within the EU for Monday 31 January. This was a first meeting during which both sides presented their respective positions, which in many respects are very divergent. The EU Council is insisting on the sanctity of national models (see EUROPE 12847/1) and the European Parliament wants to raise the overall ambition of the text within the limits of the European treaties (see EUROPE 12831/19). According to our information, the technical meetings will take place on 24 and 25 January. The next interinstitutional meeting will be held at the end of January, probably on Monday 31 January. Talks will begin at that time. France hopes to reach a political agreement during the first months of its Presidency. (PH)