07/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - Graham Watson, leader of the European Liberal Democrat group in the European Parliament, congratulated Jean-Pierre Raffarin, "Démocratie Libérale" Senator and former member of the European Parliament, for his appointment as French Prime Minister (until the elections on 9 June). "He is a committed European who has campaigned for a more rational organisation of Europe and a greater role for the regions. His nomination as Prime Minister is a welcome sign of President Chirac's determination to pursue a positive role for France in European integration", notes Mr Watson. Albert Bore, President of the Committee of the Regions, commented that the appointment of the president of the regional Council Poitou-Charente (Member of the Committee) is "good news for the EU's towns and regions and for Europeans".