Germany and France take the first step to create industry champions

"It is an important day, because after months of work, we have agreed on the definition of an industrial strategy for Europe that we will propose to our European partners"says French Bruno Le Maire at a press conference with his German counterpart, Peter Altmaier.

The announcement comes after the failure of the merger Siemens-Alstomwhich provoked complaints from the Gallic and German industrialists.

Both aspire for big companies to compete with the United States, but especially China in international markets.

"This is an important day, because after months of work, we have agreed on the definition of an industrial strategy for Europe that we will propose to our European partners"they said.

The partners chose the production of electric batteries first concrete cooperation project, which will be open to other European countries.

Germany has allocated a fund of 1,000 million euros and France 700 millionAltmaier said.

Berlin and Paris are waiting for a response from the European Commission on this issue before 1 April.

"It's the first time in years (…) even for decades that we have launched an initiative of this magnitude and that France and Germany are agreeing on a common industrial strategy for the 21st century "badured the Mayor.

He also stated that the proposed memorandum with Germany was based on three pillars.

Point to the innovation and its financing. Search later change the European rules considered dating back to another era, after the failure of the Siemens-Alstom merger, and finally indicates to better protect European industries, whose most advanced technology must remain European.