Russian assets and Mercosur: France's decisive role in Brussels. Lescure speaks

That said, the French government has criticised in recent days the plan to use all Russian assets held on EU territory: not only those deposited with the Belgian financial company Euroclear, but also those in other European countries, including France itself. In this regard, the minister's response was possibilistic: 'We have to make sure that, once again, from a technical, financial and legal point of view, all the issues raised are resolved'.

The topic of Russian assets crosses the signing of the agreement with Mercosur, expected next week. Here again, the European decision may depend on Paris, so much so that some wonder whether France will not condition its support for one to gain advantages on the other. On the trade front, the minister recalled the French demands: 'strong and efficient' safeguards for the agricultural sector, 'clauses-miroirs to protect our citizens', and import controls.

'The European Union,' Roland Lescure added, 'is the world's leading trade power. It is the largest developed market in the world and trade agreements can only be beneficial for us if they are balanced and all parties play by the rules. But this is no longer the case. Europe remains open, but needs to know how to protect itself against unfair practices. The challenge these days is to move forward, find allies and ensure that trade is beneficial for all parties'.

Finally, on the European budget 2028-2034, the negotiations are also entering into full swing. "France shares the objective of simplifying and modernising the European budget. This budget must also have a protective block, including our democratic values, our children, our social fabric. We have a European way of doing things. Of course, we will have priorities such as the common agricultural policy, which is fundamental for our food sovereignty, and other Member States will have them too'.

In the past, many countries have enjoyed discounts or rebates (rebates in English). What does France think about this? "My opinion is that Europe is a house that works well when we all try to spend time together in the common room, rather than each in their own bedroom. Historically, refunds were probably a way of reassuring the public that the net contributors would get their 'money' back'.

The minister concludes: 'One thing I know for sure is that when refunds were negotiated, they were the last point of negotiation, not the first. If you start discussing the common house by asking how much you can keep in your bedroom, I think that is wrong. So let's try to move forward first on what we agree on and then see, in the end, if we need to make some changes and how to make them. Let's build the house first and then see how to paint the different rooms.