Essentially we need a new social consensus for economic reform as New Labour has achieved in Britain.

We've got to demonstrate why European unity and integration, our vast single market, our single currency, equip us with the strength to embrace globalization.

Europe lacks leadership and a sense of mission and too many people don't feel a part of it.

Europe has to address people's needs directly and reflect their priorities, not our own preoccupations.

Firstly, people take for granted that the E.U. has created the biggest economic space in the world.

Having viewed Europe as an extension and projection of itself, France now finds Europe developing a mind and identity of its own which embraces France but is not controlled by France.

I certainly believe that we gain through open trade and liberalisation.