Paris, 12/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - The services of the President of the Republic and the French Prime Minister announced in a joint press statement the launch of the widest possible debate on the future of Europe, as suggested by the European Summit of Nice in December 2000. The statement notes that the debate will be organised plurally with the participation of "all parts of the nation" and explains that in France, parliament, government and civil society could "promote the debate in their respective domains" while Préfets could organise at the regional level "forums bringing together in each region local, national and European elected officers, representatives of business and academia, social partners and NGOs".