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French PM Says New France Is Taking Form for New Millennium
French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin Saturday expressed his confidence that a new France is taking its form to meet the new millennium with dropping unemployment, a modernized republic and commitment to European integration.
In an article to be published Sunday in the Journal du Dimanche weekly newspaper, Jospin said that full employment is no longer a dream but an ambition, as the unemployment of the country is dropping continuously.
In the political field, he said France will have a modernized republic with a more democracy, a shorter presidential mandate and more respect for regional interests.
France has shortened its presidential term from seven to five years after a referendum was held on the subject this year.
Jospin defended his plan to give the Mediterranean island of Corsia legislative self-rule from 2004, which has been disputed by some political forces of the country.
"Our republic can remain one and indivisible, but unity is not uniformity," he said.
As for European integration, Jospin said that France will benefit from a stronger European Union (EU) although it will " remain loyal to itself."
France will end its EU presidency Sunday after obtaining a compromise agreement on EU institutional reform at the EU Nice summit held early this month.
France will hold its presidential election in May 2002 and the election agenda is expected to focus on socio-economic issues like creating jobs, tax reduction, environment and public welfare.
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