Bienvenu, Mr Sarkozy

Sir, given our commitment to the UK playing a positive and constructive role in Europe, we write to welcome the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as the new president of France (report, May 7). We believe that it heralds an opportunity to galvanise Franco-British relations, and to provide firm leadership for Europe. In the course of the past few months, he has expressed his admiration for the UK, and the dynamism of our economy. In January this year, addressing a group of French expatriates in London on the campaign trail, he said: “You contributed to giving London a vitality that Paris needs dearly.”

His public statements demonstrate that, as well as the UK being able to learn from continental best practice, France can draw inspiration from the UK’s success in encouraging risk-taking and making its labour market more flexible. His ambition for France to be “the country of innovation and audacity” illustrates the reformist direction in which he wants to take his country. Without deluding ourselves that London and Paris will agree on everything, it should mean that the reform instincts of the EU now receive support from France, the Merkel-led Government in Germany as well as the UK Government and others.

The economic and cultural links between the UK and France are widespread. There are now an estimated 250,000 French people in London, and an equivalent number of British people in France. We look forward to Mr Sarkozy playing an active and reformist role in EU affairs so that the UK, France and the rest of Europe can work together to assert Europe’s role on the world stage.

Roland Rudd (Chairman, Business for New Europe)
Lord Jay of Ewelme (Vice-Chair, Business for New Europe)
Sir Stephen Wall (Vice-Chair, Business for New Europe)

Business for New Europe
PO Box 57054
London EC2P 2YS
www.bnegroup.org
Tel: 020 7256 6575