Paris (AFP)

It remains "a space to discuss the implementation modalities" of the pension reform, including "find the right pace" of the transition to the new regime, said Thursday the Minister of Ecological Transition Elisabeth Borne.

"There is a strike that starts, it shows that employees - and this is their right - express their concern, but on a project whose precise characteristics have not yet been given," noted Elisabeth Borne at a visit to the Crisis Staff at RATP headquarters in Paris.

"Honestly, I do not put myself in the idea that one settles into a long conflict," she added: "The consultation (...) is not over" with the social partners "to find the right way to implement the reform," she said.

"The government is determined, of course, to implement the reform," she warned.

"On the other hand, we are open to a discussion on the modalities of implementation, especially on the pace of transitions" from special pension schemes to the new general regime, she added, on the first day of a very serious strike. followed in public transport.

"It's very important to find the right pace," said Borne.

"We have agents, here at the RATP, at the SNCF, who have a social contract with their company, and it is not a matter of sudden change," she added.

"Today, the precise content of the reform has not been announced, it will be what the Prime Minister will do in the coming days, after the assessment that will make (the High Commissioner Retirement) Jean-Paul Delevoye early week, "said Ms. Borne again.

Edouard Philippe will announce "mid-week next the general architecture of the reform" pensions, said since the Elysee.

"The discussions have been taking place since October 1st in an almost daily way (and they) will continue on the 6th, the 7th, the 8th, the 9th (December) ... because the dialogue is constant with the unions, which for some Moreover, at least at the confederal level, support in principle the transition to a more equitable universal regime, "said Secretary of State for Transport Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, present at the RATP alongside Ms. Borne.

© 2019 AFP