President Sarkozy discusses G8 Summit outcome, announces prospects for France 2011
French President Nicolas Sarkozy held a press conference today, after the conclusion of the G8 leaders’ talks. President Sarkozy briefed the media on France’s position with regards to the broader commitments made by the G8. He began by stressing the need for a reform in global governance, including a restructuring of international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. France and the UK have jointly proposed an unspecified set of intermediate reforms to the UN Security Council, which will likely be discussed at the 2011 Summit under the French presidency.
Sarkozy applauded efforts for increased transparency in aid distribution to the developing world and emphasized that the same level of transparency is need from both donors and receivers of aid alike. He revealed that France’s contribution to the Muskoka Initiative on maternal and child health will be of EUR5 million per year for the next five years. The President emphasized the need for communication between G8 leaders and their African counterparts, and suggested ministerial meetings to deal with transnational issues such as drug trafficking and organized crime.
With regards to international security, Sarkozy mentioned that France is prepared to to engage in diplomatic dialogue with Iran on the issue of nonproliferation. Despite supporting further sanctions, France understands the need for communication to prevent the situation from becoming any more dangerous.
When asked about the issue of a bank tax, President Sarkozy remarked that he cannot impose a tax on any country, but that France will strongly support the implementation of such a financial measure during the upcoming G20 Summit on Sunday. Global markets can’t function properly, he said, if market regulation occurs at a national level. Sarkozy added that the G8 is similar to a family of countries with similar interests, who are able to discuss a wide variety of subjects in close quarters. The G20, on the other hand, is a forum for specific economic discussions and will remain so in France 2011.
Finally, on a more humorous note the President announced that the next Summit will take place in Nice and will not cost nearly as much as the Canadian one.