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France urges Britain: Help to save Euro

13 January 2011 15:22 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA-Economics. rance say Britain risks facing catastrophe for its own economy if the currency fails, The Australian reported.

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon told The Times he would take his message to his British counterpart, David Cameron, at talks in London that come after a day of respite for the embattled currency.

"Europe finds itself at an historic turning point. The real question right now is whether we keep building on this adventure or whether we leave it at that," Mr Fillon said.

"In order to consolidate the euro we will need gradually to harmonise our economic, fiscal and social policies, hence we are going to go towards greater integration. We are going to need to put in place an economic system of governance for the euro zone. Great Britain is not part of the euro zone; at the same time, the decision we will take will have great importance to Britain."

Mr Fillon warned that the British must be careful not to find themselves left behind. "I am sure the UK has its own dynamics and history, I am sure it has its own culture, its own economic assets," he said. "The question is: is the UK ready to accept or encourage greater integration of the euro zone or is the UK distrustful of that and will it create obstacles and make it more difficult to happen?"

Mr Fillon added that Britain was so closely tied to the EU’s internal market that "it would be a catastrophe and a disaster for Great Britain itself if the euro failed".