France won't accept "third-rate accord" on EU institutional reforms

Institutional reform is essential ahead of the EU's planned enlargement to include central and east European countries, Chirac told a forum on the "New Europe" at the Sorbonne University.

"We must succeed, but we will not succeed at any price," he said. "France will not accept a third-rate accord, an accord which will improve things a little bit, an accord which might be sufficient if we remained 15 (members), but unacceptable to assume the demands of enlargement."

He asked that each of the EU's 15 members "accept to make a move, to question some of what are considered advantages."

France has made the reform of EU institutions a top priority during its six-month presidency, which ends in December. The issue is to be at the center of talks at a summit in Biarritz, in southwest France, on Friday and Saturday.

The "New Europe" forum gathers students and others under 40 years old from around Europe for debate and discussion on the Europe in progress.

(sda)