By KUNA,
PARIS : France sought on Tuesday to calm a reported dispute with Britain over remarks last Thursday by French President Nicolas Sarkozy that were interpreted in London as criticism of British economic policy, faced with the international crisis.
Sarkozy said in a nationally-televised address that he would “not repeat the errors” of Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain by decreasing value added tax, a move the French leader said “had not worked at all.” A statement from Sarkozys office said Tuesday that it had been in contact with Brown “to confirm that President Sarkozy deplores the manner in which his comments on the British economy have been reported in the United Kingdom.” The French leader also recalled “his personal esteem” for Brown and “in particular, the driving role he played to draw up a common response faced with the crisis we are going through currently.” The French leader also remarked that he had “worked closely” with Brown to come up with a European response to a global crisis.
“France and the United Kingdom are working in the same direction,” Sarkozys office said. It was noted that both countries have adopted the necessary measures to recapitalise their banking systems and also decided to make budget expenditures to kick-start their economies, as they felt it necessary to reject a wait-and-see approach to the recession.
The Elysee Palace statement said France and Britain are now working closely together on “the next step of a common response” which is to re-establish credit lines for individuals and companies and it was hoped here that the two leaders would be able to work together for the months and years to come. (end) jk.mt KUNA 101444 Feb 09NNNN