¡¡ France expressed its satisfaction on October 23 over the decision of the European Union (EU) to take a common stand in perspective of the forthcoming round of negotiations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Seattle at the end of November.

¡¡ French Minister of Culture and Communication Catherine Trautmann and State Secretary of Exterior Trade Francois Huwart said in a communique that the policy adopted by the EU on WTO talks will help its member countries preserve and develop their cultural and audio-visual policies and their cultural identities and diversities.

¡¡ The ambassadors of 15 member countries of the EU struck a compromise deal on Friday on a common stand to be taken in the WTO talks over two pending issues -- audio-visual market and social norms.

¡¡ At the initiative of France, the EU will seek to guarantee the possibility for the union and its member countries to keep and develop their rights to define and implement freely their cultural and audio-visual policies, in order to protect their cultural diversities.

¡¡ The EU will also call for the establishment of a permanent working forum within the WTO on the protection of social and labor rights.