Sarkozy outlines priorities for G8, G20

 

Xinhua, January 25, 2011

Raising the topic of financial transactions tax once again in his speech, Sarkozy said France still favors this tax and reckons it as useful to dissuade financial speculation and create resources for development. France said that it has won support from Germany, Japan and the Britain on the tax.

The United States has openly opposed the French initiative. Sarkozy said he welcomes further debate on various "innovative financial" instruments and transparency on fiscal policies.

Sarkozy also underscored global governance as another focus during France's G20 presidency which will last until December 2011.

In addition, the French president also noted other issues on the G20 agenda list, including climate change, environment, African countries' vital role, improvement on social dimension, developed countries' promise to aid the less developed countries.

As for its G8 presidency, Sarkozy placed the issue of internet civilization in a prominent position. "The new G8 has to have a public debate at the political level," and furthermore, France has gotten the U.S. support to "talk formally about internet in G8," Sarkozy said.

It's "high time (for G8) to trust each other build a model by putting together our know-how, listen to what major internet operators have to say. I'm sure they are very responsible ... to create a civilized internet," he added.

France has announced to gather famous website founders and bloggers from G8 states on the sidelines of the G8 summit in 2011, aiming to upgrade itself as a leading digital powerhouse by 2012.