China News Agency, Paris, July 21 (Reporter Li Yang) French President Emmanuel Macron made comments on the large-scale recovery plan reached on the day of the EU summit on the 21st local time, pointing out that this is the most important moment for the EU since the creation of the euro.
Macron returned to Paris after attending the EU summit and made the above comments on live television at the Elysee Palace in the presidential palace that evening. He expressed the hope that the French people can understand the importance of the four-day and four-night negotiations at this summit. He believes that this is the result of "historical work" in France and Germany.
This EU summit began on the 17th and is the first face-to-face meeting between EU leaders since the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia epidemic in Europe. In order to reach an agreement on the recovery plan, the meeting lasted until the 21st.
On July 17, local time, in Brussels, Belgium, French President Macron and German Chancellor Merkel attended the EU face-to-face summit.
According to the final agreement reached at the summit, the EU's long-term budget from 2021 to 2027 is 1,074 billion euros; a revitalization fund with a total of 750 billion euros will be established on the basis of the budget. In the revitalization fund, 390 billion euros are allocated for free and 360 billion euros are used as rescue loans.
Macron confirmed that according to the recovery plan reached at the EU summit, France will receive about 40 billion euros and will become the "third largest beneficiary country in Europe" after Italy and Spain. The French government will formulate a corresponding economic recovery plan for this purpose, which will be announced at the end of August.
Macron believes that the EU's 27 member states agree to a recovery plan and support the economy hit by the new crown pneumonia epidemic is "the most important moment for the EU since the creation of the euro." He said, "This is the result of our work, and we can be proud of it."
Data map: French President Macron. China News Service reporter Li Yangshe
Macron also mentioned that in the future, it will not be French taxpayers who will pay European debts, but will be resolved through "new ways". For example, a digital tax will be established at the European level for major international digital companies, and these companies do not currently pay Related taxes.
When talking about the fight against the new crown pneumonia epidemic, Macron said that French officials do not intend to provide free protective masks to all French people; the government will guarantee the production of anti-epidemic materials such as masks, ventilators, and medicines.
French Minister of Health Vilan has announced that he will restart the distribution of free masks to people living in difficulties. From the 20th, French indoor public places began to compulsory wear masks, offenders will face a fine of 135 euros. (Finish)