Pre-election strain eases as Hollande calls for growth

David Cameron said he and recently-elected French president Francois Hollande found “much common ground” when they met in Downing Street yesterday.

On his first presidential visit to the UK, Mr Hollande was greeted with a guard of honour before talks with the Prime Minister.

Their relationship has appeared strained since Mr Cameron refused to meet Mr Hollande while he was running for election.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Prime Minister has also caused dismay by saying he would “roll out the red carpet” for any French business seeking to flee to Britain to escape higher taxes under the new president.

But at a joint press conference in Number 10, Mr Cameron said they had had “good discussions” on issues ranging across trade, Europe, foreign policy and defence co-operation between the UK and France.

They agreed that measures approved last month by European leaders to shore up the eurozone needed to be implemented “rapidly”, Mr Cameron said.

He said they also agreed that the European Commission’s proposals to increase Brussels spending by 14bn euros a year were “unacceptable”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There will always be areas where we don’t agree but we have found much common ground today, not just about European policy today but also how we develop European policy for Britain and for France in the future,” the Prime Minister said.

Co-operation between the UK and France at the Channel Tunnel and seaports will “help to guarantee a safe Olympics”, Mr Cameron said.

“France is an essential and valued partner of Britain,” Mr Cameron said.

“Our economies are closely interwoven, French companies employ 180,000 people across the UK and we export more to France than to China, India, Japan and Turkey combined.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Hollande, speaking through an interpreter, said he and Mr Cameron had the same goal of getting their countries back into economic growth.

“With David Cameron, our relationship has been based on a common intent to put both our countries on the path to growth and recovery.”

He acknowledged the two countries had “different positions” on the European Union but that each respected the other’s position.

“Britain has no intent to join the eurozone, France would like integration and solidarity within the eurozone – at the same time we understand each other’s positions,” he said.

“Britain does not wish to slow down or to prevent the eurozone countries from acting, and France within the eurozone does not wish to oblige anyone to join.”