MNI: France Aims For Climate Change, Tax Avoidance In EuCo Txt

-- Climate Change Text Will Be Added To Final Communique

-- Tax Avoidance Item Seems To Be More Problematic

By Jean Comte

     BRUSSELS (MNI) - France is looking to add two paragraphs to the official

communique that will be adopted by the 28 European Union heads of government at

the European Council summit in Brussels Thursday, two diplomatic sources told

MNI.

     The current draft text, prepared earlier in the week by diplomatic

delegations, focuses mainly on defence, culture and social issues. However,

last-minute additions are theoretically possible until the official adoption of

the text, scheduled for after leaders' dinner.

     One source said that the climate change item would make it to the final

draft text, but that the tax avoidance paragraph was still being discussed. 

     The fight against climate change is not divisive in the EU, whereas tax

issues are extremely sensitive. France usually pushes for strong action against

tax avoidance, with Ireland, Malta and Luxembourg much more reluctant to take a

stance.

     During the last meeting of heads of government, back in October, France

pushed to insert a sentence on the need to make digital companies pay tax in

Europe. However, the final text was watered down by Luxembourg, Malta and

Ireland.

     A spokesperson for the French delegation declined to comment.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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