Rumours that Jean-Pierre Jouyet is soon to quit his post as Secretary of State for European Affairs in the French government had become so persistent that he was questioned on the matter in a meeting of the French Senate open to the public. Jouyet's response to the question put by Senator Hubert Haenel, chairman of the European affairs committee was: “I am not as much of a politician as some of the leading lights present. I have my sensitivity, a certain independence of spirit and my career profile is that of a political leader cum civil servant. I will carry out my duty wherever it is felt it can be of use, for the state and for Europe”. Jouyet was Head of Jacques Delors' private office when the latter was President of the European Commission, and is currently playing a leading role in the work of France's Presidency of the Council of the EU. His short statement would seem to suggest that he still sees his future in European affairs. We can only be thankful. (F.R.)