Recently in Paris, here is a thread on Brexit and other EU issues - such as the new Commission, enlargement and competition policy. @CER_EU /1
France and Germany have different concerns on Brexit. France worries that if Brexit isn't seen to hurt, anti-EU populists will win more votes. Germany cares more about a bad-tempered departure weakening UK-EU security co-operation and Europe's cohesion vis-a-vis its enemies. /2
France will be very tough on 'level playing field provisions' in talks on the free trade agreement. But there is a range of opinions within the French govt on which areas should be subject to 'dynamic alignment'. Some say only state aid. /3
On the transition, the French govt says (like the Commission) that a last-minute de facto partial extension at the end of 2020 is impossible. But some officials think (like some Germans) that in the end the EU might be a bit more flexible. /4
France is keen to find ways of binding UK into European security cooperation. Some talk of building on the 'E3' (UK, FRA, GER) group. But Macron plans a joint initiative with Berlin for a European Security Council that would include UK (which is probably not ready to respond). /5
The French are positive about @vonderleyen's new regime in the Commission. They like its discipline and focus and the fact that she consults governments before making proposals (many Germans see the regime as French!). /6
Paris also likes the Commission's ideas for reforming the enlargement process - eg giving candidates some benefits before they become full members, and making the process reversible. So France'll probably lift its veto on accession talks for Albania & N Macedonia. /7
As for the MFF, France believes that no deal will be acceptable unless it includes new 'own resources' for the EU budget. People in the European Parliament agree. /8
The French government is in despair about the German government's introversion and disfunctionality. It assumes that the resignation of AKK as CDU leader will make Germany an even less responsive partner, eg on eurozone reform. /9
A French priority is reforming competition policy, so that the EU tackles the problem of Chinese state aid distorting competition. France also wants the EU to revise its merger guidelines, so that European champions can more easily emerge. /10 ENDS
