28 January 2000
The French Embassy formally refutes the allegations which have been published in the press today according to which France would "knowingly have tried to ruin" the EU-RSA Trade Agreement. The fact that the European authorities in Brussel have been slow in giving accurate information regarding the legal regime to be applied has brought a state of uncertainty which resulted in temporary divergent measures among the member states. France has signed the agreement, it has notified its willingness to apply it and it wishes that the agreement comes into effect as soon as possible.
French Embassy
Press Officer
Mireille Makanda
Tel: (012) 429-7016