On Wednesday 13 November in Brussels, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier reiterated his country’s opposition to the finalisation of the trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries.
“Under current conditions, this agreement is not acceptable to France. The Commission has understood this”, he declared after a meeting with the re-elected President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. He recommended that “France’s position and that of other countries”, which are concerned about the “disastrous impact” of this trade agreement on certain sectors such as “agriculture and livestock farming”, should not be ignored. And to reject any compensation or “patching up” measures, such as a dedicated European fund to compensate European farmers.
On the French budget, which is expected to show a deficit of 6.1% of national GDP in 2024 (see EUROPE 13502/21), Mr Barnier stressed the importance of reducing France’s debt in order to regain budgetary sovereignty. The debt burden will reach “€55 or €56 billion”, “which is more than the defence budget”, he argued. Hence the “difficult budget” that has been proposed and is currently being negotiated in the French Senate.
The French Prime Minister, who has promised to return to Brussels often, supported the competitiveness agenda that the Commission wants to put into practice over the next five years. There is a “need for simplification” to “stop the inflation of standards” that is penalising farmers and businesses, he said.
Finally, Mr Barnier mentioned the challenge of migration. He indicated that France would transpose the ‘Pact on Migration and Asylum’ “as soon as possible”. We need to “complete (the Pact) at European level with the ‘returns’ Directive, which the Commission has agreed to reopen”, he agreed, stressing the importance of “European leverage” in this area, particularly in discussions with third and transit countries. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)