PARIS, June 30 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said Thursday France believes the current European Union compromise on agriculture subsidies should not be altered.
"In 2002 we agreed on a compromise for the agricultural policy," de Villepin said in English, during his first news conference as prime minister Thursday. "And this compromise is a good compromise, and it is a compromise that should be applied till 2013."
France and Britain sparred bitterly this month on agricultural subsidies during failed EU budget talks in Brussels. Britain takes over the rotating EU presidency Friday.
De Villepin outlined his goals as prime minister, including cracking down on crime and illegal immigration, increasing road security, and reducing France's 10.2 percent unemployment rate.
Among other initiatives, he said the government would install 500 new radars in France, and defended a new jobs-creation initiative that has met some criticism.
