British minister tells French he finds EU debate at home juvenile

The British Minister for European Affairs, Mr Peter Hain, made a surprising admission yesterday during his first visit to Paris since joining the Blair government. He'd invited his French counterpart, Mr Pierre Moscovici, to address an audience of "opinion-formers" in London "because the British debate [about Europe] is very primitive and I think juvenile in some ways".

Mr Moscovici, who like Mr Hain, is known for bluntness, said France and Britain have a "particular" relationship, "marked by differences, but always very frank". It was important that French and British leaders consult often, he continued, "to reach agreement whenever possible, otherwise to agree to disagree".

Mr Hain has severely criticised what he calls France's "destructive" campaign to lift sanctions against Iraq. He calls France's refusal to open up its gas and electricity markets "unacceptable", and his endless odes to the free market grate on the nerves of French socialists.

"My conviction is that Europe needs still more liberalisation," the British minister told Le Figaro. "In telecommunications, in financial services and especially in the energy sector.

"It's hard for France, who is holding back compared to Great Britain, but it has to be done. Because energy costs in Europe are too high. What is at stake is prosperity."

Yet it was all entente cordiale at the French Foreign Ministry yesterday. "We have emphasised the importance of France and Britain working together on all of the big issues that face Europe," Mr Hain said. "Whether it is enlargement, economic reform or the big challenge we face of the gap - the distance between the leaders and the institutions of Europe and the citizens of Europe."

Winning European hearts and minds was a theme repeated by both ministers. "We think that above all we must convince our fellow citizens of the practical benefits of Europe," Mr Moscovici said. "Their concern over concrete policies far supersedes reflection about institutions."