Letter to the Editor

Timothy Garton Ash points to the potential of Franco-British cooperation (A historic compromise with France is exactly what Britain needs, March 27) and a large part of this should focus on economic policy. There are already extensive investment, trading and people ties between the French and British economies. As President Sarkozy pointed out, London is now the seventh largest French city in the world. The single market enables free trade bilaterally and with 25 other member states.

But both countries, as well as embarking on their national reform programmes, need to press for action at EU level. The EU's liberalisation of services is a step in the right direction, considering it accounts for 70% of the European economy. The fact that many British companies are now foreign-owned illustrates the openness of the British model, and there should be comparable opportunities for British companies to make acquisitions on the continent. Moreover Sarkozy's assertion that France is "open" to reform of the outdated and wasteful common agricultural policy is a welcome step. By continuing to engage with our European partners, the UK may be able to secure further and much-needed reforms to the CAP in the EU budget review.

Zaki Cooper
Director, Business for New Europe