Jospin poised to deepen rift with Berlin

Date: 24/05/01

By Simon Taylor

French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin will unveil his vision for the future of Europe next month, exposing sharp differences with German Chancellor and fellow Socialist Gerhard Schröder.

The speech, scheduled for 5 June, will form the basis of Jospin's bid to replace Jacques Chirac as president next May.

Comments by European Minister Pierre Moscovici - a key influence on Jospin's thinking - have underlined deep concern at Schröder's plans for the EU.

Many of Moscovici's ideas are expected to be taken up in Jospin's speech, which will emphasise creating a Europe of greater social protection and a more coherent foreign and security policy.

In a radio interview, Moscovici attacked Schröder's vision as "proposing a German federal model" for the EU. He ridiculed the Chancellor's call to turn the Council of Ministers into the Union's second chamber, insisting France could not accept the same status in a Senate as a tiny state like Malta.

He also attacked the SPD goal of taking control of farm and regional aid policy from the Community institutions, saying: "He is proposing to renationalise the Common

Agricultural Policy with.the aim being logical in terms of German interests: to pay less."

At the last Franco-German summit meeting in Paris, Chirac, Jospin and Schröder played down their differences. Chirac, who prefers a much more intergovernmental vision of Europe, said the SPD's position was "entirely legitimate". However he predicted that France and Germany would be able to reach a common position ahead of the 2004 intergovernmental conference.

Jospin's speech is bound to be discussed at the next Franco-German summit, due to be held in Freiburg on the Swiss border on 12 June.

French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin will unveil his vision for the future of Europe in June 2001, exposing sharp differences with German Chancellor and fellow Socialist Gerhard Schröder.