European Commission President Mr Romano Prodi said today he had told France he was concerned about recent press reports on the country's forthcoming budget.
Mr Prodi issued a statement following a telephone conversation with French Prime Minister Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin during which the EU executive's president stressed the need to pursue credible and sustainable budget policies.
Mr Prodi said he needed the cooperation of France, which has said it will break EU deficit limits until 2006, and other European Union member states to solve budget problems while respecting the Stability and Growth Pact on budget discipline.
"He (Prodi) recalled the necessity for the Commission services and the French authorities to keep an open line during the next few weeks and expressed his personal wish and that of the College to find a solution within the rules of the Treaty and the Stability and Growth Pact," Mr Prodi's statement said.
"He also stressed that such a course requires action and co-operation on the side of member states and France in particular."