30/03/26 (Agence Europe) – France’s Permanent Representation to the EU has told Agence Europe that it disputes the fact that on Friday 27 March it was the only country to oppose the opening of negotiations between the Commission and the United States so that the EU could join the ‘Pax Silica’ initiative. It pointed out that seven other member countries were taking the same line, i.e. asking for further clarification and challenging the US approach of refusing to negotiate on their text (see EUROPE 13838/9). France did not either put forward as reasons for refusal, at this stage, the risk of technological over-domination or governance focused exclusively on American interests. Contacted on Monday 30 March, sources present at the discussions once again indicated that the postponed opening of negotiations was essentially due to the French position, and that the other sceptical Member States could, for their part, give a cautious green light to the Commission’s mandate as early as 27 March. (SP)