Paris, 14/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - France and Germany seem to have adopted if not similar positions then neighbouring ones on several of the major issues to be discussed at the Barcelona Summit. This is the lesson one may draw from the statements made by the French and German Ministers of the Economy, Laurent Fabius and Hans Eichel, at the end of the Franco-German Economic Council held in Paris on Wednesday.
Messrs. Fabius and Eichel said they were confident in economic recovery over the coming months, the German minister, however, stressing that the situation in the Middle East could lead to a steep rise in the price of oil and weigh on growth. Speaking of the energy issue and France's reluctance over any liberalisation that would neglect the obligation to provide a public service in the gas and electricity sectors, Hans Eichel recalled that his country was in favour of a total opening up of markets: "it is a long-term goal but I understand that some countries should be in a different situation. What's important is to reach an agreement for the long-term (…) There will be no Franco-German conflict, no clashes in Barcelona", he added. The French and German ministers also agreed in considering that the Commission's proposal in view of enlargement needed a downward review, as too costly for their economies.