The luxury sector is doing decidedly. PPR has surpassed analyst expectations by announcing on Friday, thanks to the acceleration of group sales in the period, net income Group share up 113.3% over one year to 403 million euros. His real turnover in the first half is also in an increase of 3.6% over the first half of 2009 to 8.139 billion euros.
"Our strong reaction from the outset of the crisis to maintain our competitiveness and the development of offensive trade allow us to benefit from the initial effects of the global economic recovery," said Francois-Henri Pinault President and CEO of PPR said in a statement. Earnings from operations also increased from 20.7% to 708 million euros.
"Good prospects"
The weight of the activity of PPR International has indeed continued to grow in the first half, representing 60.5% of the turnover of the group against 59.7% a year ago. Emerging countries in particular have contributed to make the results of PPR, with trading up 11.3%. Gucci now 40% of its sales in emerging countries, against 36% a year ago.
As its competitors in the luxury, like Hermes, LVMH and Burburry PPR announces results improved versus the first quarter 2010, reflecting the fact that the sector enjoys full recovery. The luxury division of PPR, Gucci Group (Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Boucheron …) recorded an increase of 11.1% of its turnover to 1.82 billion euros. Less than Hermes, however, who announced last week a turnover up 23% over the first half of 2009.Francois-Henri Pinault, however, anticipates "good prospects", in the short and medium term.
• Transport
– Station: Ticket prices for trains Coral, Intercity and TER (Regional Express Train) will increase an average of 2.5%. This will result in higher ticket from 10 cents to 2.30 euros depending on distance traveled during the trip.
As for the discount cards (cards 12-25, Senior, and Child Escapes +), their prices remain unchanged.
– RATP: The price of individual tickets will go from 1.60 euro to 1.70 euro.
Subscriptions Navigo will also increase, except for packages zone 1-5 and 1-6.The monthly Zones 1 and 2 (Paris and suburbs) rises from 56.60 to 60.40 euros (+6.7%), the zones 1-3 of 74.40 to 78.20 euros (+ 5.1%) and the zones 1 to 4 from 91.70 to 95.50 euros (+4.1%).
• Energy
– Gas: After an initial increase in April, prices will increase again by 2% to 4.7% (about 8 euros per year for those who use gas for hot water and cooking 45 per year for those who use it also for heating)
– Bulbs: As part of the scheduled end of incandescents in the EU to promote energy saving, incandescent lamps of 60 watts are removed from store shelves.Those whose power was 100 watts or more have disappeared from shelves in 2009.
• Bonus for scrap
The premium case is lowered to 500 euros instead of 700 for any car ordered until December 31.
• Stamps
The price of postage for mailings of letters under 20 grams, will increase by two cents from 56-58 cents, an increase of 3.5%.
• Retirement
The index points which is the basis for calculating salary in three public (state, territorial and hospital) must be revalued by 0.5%.
• Unemployment benefits
Allowances of approximately two million unemployed by unemployment insurance compensation will be revalued by 1.2%.
• Communication
– Hadopi: It is from this Thursday that the first warnings will be mailed to users in violation of the law on downloading.
– Phone: The price of calls made and received from another EU country (roaming within Europe) will be reduced to 39 cents per minute excluding VAT cons 43 cent today. Receiving a call will be charged € 0.15 per minute instead of EUR 0.19.The SMS tariff remains unchanged for its 11 cents per message.
• Business and Disability
Firms with more than 20 employees employ any disabled person and took no action to promote employment of disabled people will have their penalties tripled to about 13,000 euros per person missing.
• Livret A
Currently at its lowest level since its inception to 1.25% – Return of the booklet A should move to 1.50% or 1.75% from 1 August by Budget Minister Francois Baroin.
He has held eight weeks. The CEO of BP, Tony Hayward, should hand over the management of the oil spill from the Gulf of Mexico to another group leader, Robert Dudley. The ad, albeit tempered by a spokesman for the moment, was made by Carl-Henric Svanberg, president of the group, during an interview with Sky News on Friday. "He went there just after the explosion. It will now transmit the management operations on a day-to-day to Robert Dudley, "he said.
Robert Dudley, a member of the board of directors of the group is in charge of operations in the Americas and Asia. Tony Hayward had already chosen earlier this month to lead a team to manage, with the authorities, long-term consequences of the spill after it had ceased.
A president on Platter
According to several analysts, heads could also fall after the U.S. congressional hearings. Observers say that Tony Hayward was well out of the question-answer session with U.S. lawmakers. The announcement of the creation of a fund of 20 billion dollars had quieted some of the fears of investors. "The provision of Tony Hayward has not been great but it could have been worse. As a shareholder, our priority was to see that all energies were concentrated on repairing the broken sink, "said anonymously to Reuters one of the ten largest shareholders of the group.
The Director General could therefore keep his job. It might be different from President Carl-Henric Svanberg."We believe Tony Hayward is doing all it can do, but the chairman of the board of directors does it not come out that well at all. It almost did not hear, "says shareholder. Another investor in the list of top 20 shareholders of the group added: "From my point of view, it will be very, very difficult for the president to overcome that. This function must be occupied by someone credible on the international scene, and it is clear that this is not the case with the incumbent.
Same view for Peter Hitchens, analyst at Panmure Gordon: "There is more pressure on the president who was, at least initially, very little known. I think at this point, we'll have someone go, so BP is in trouble. " "Obviously, everybody is looking for a scapegoat.This could be the president, "said his side Yevgeny Solovyov, an analyst at Societe Generale.
"We will survive"
Faced with this pressure, Carl-Henric Svanberg trying to stay focused. "BP is a very solid company and we will survive," he said. He said a disappearance of the band because of this disaster "can not happen."
The spill in the Gulf of Mexico has so far cost the group $ 1.8 billion, and the bill could rise considerably. In criminal prosecutions, the company may have to pay tens of billions of dollars in legal fees alone. Analysts estimate that the total cost of the disaster for BP should be between 17 and 60 billion dollars.
"On the 24-hour period ending at midnight last night, we were able to recover 25,000 barrels of oil," Friday welcomed Admiral Thad Allen to coordinate the fight against the tide black. He added that BP expected increase this volume to 53,000 barrels per day by end June So far, BP recovered 15,000 barrels per day, while the well is located 1,500 meters deep and 80 miles from U.S. shores spits every day between 35,000 and 60,000 barrels (up to 9.5 million liters) of oil .
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The new head of British diplomacy began Sunday evening in Paris on a tour that continues this week in Rome, Berlin and Warsaw. He gave his first interview with Le Figaro in the European press.
LE FIGARO. Largely eurosceptic Conservative Party, to which you belong, has concluded a coalition agreement with the Liberal Democrats, favor, they, to a rapprochement with the EU. What will your European policy?
William HAGUE. This is good news for the EU that we have heard over five years with our coalition partners. This was not the tradition in Britain to have a fixed maturity term of office. The next general elections will be held in May 2015. For our European partners in particular, that political stability should be a good omen.With the Liberal Democrats, it was not difficult to determine what our European policy: this is further good news for the EU, because we will be predictable. The course is set for the next five years: we intend to be extremely active in European affairs so that the EU can collectively weigh in the world. We will also be very active to help European economies to recover growth, create new jobs and new businesses. We'll be tough negotiators, but is not that we should expect from any government?
The economic crisis, financial, monetary and across Europe requires its members to further cooperation. How far will you go on the path of solidarity?
We do not belong to the euro area and we do not rejoin, as stipulated in the coalition agreement.Neither partner will do the same proposal, as long as this agreement. But as David Cameron has said a euro zone healthy is in our interest. We do not want to be part but we hope it contributes to the financial stability of Europe. It is very important to us. Regarding the financial support that Britain could make to the euro area, our position coincides with that of the government of Gordon Brown. Our country faces the heaviest budget deficit in history (aside from the period of world wars) and the priority task is to reduce the deficit to a level where it can be controlled.We are not able to provide other financial guarantees.
So you exclude from participation in a support fund for countries of the euro area in trouble?
The government that preceded us had agreed to participate in one of these funds a few weeks ago. We will assume our responsibilities in fulfilling this agreement. But we will not be dragged further into the euro area. This is not what the British want from their government. It will not offer more than what has already been proposed.
Do you negotiate opt-outs with the EU?
We will discuss with our partners in government. As indicated in the coalition agreement, we want to limit the application of the directive on working time, which we consider too restrictive in Great Britain.We also wish to pass a law requiring a referendum if a future government would go further transfers of sovereignty to the EU. There was a lot of institutional changes in Europe and debate. We must now ensure that the institutions function, can improve economic performance, extending the single market and cooperation in foreign policy. Let us focus on concrete achievements rather than engaging in a new institutional debate.
A bounce or a deepening of the crisis could lead to more regulation. How would you react?
We certainly need to improve how we regulate the banking and financial services. But further regulate the labor market and the business would be in the wrong direction. This is the traditional view of the British.The crisis has again highlighted. We say: Great Britain is open for business. Our next budget in two weeks, will reaffirm the years to come. We hope that our European partners adopt a similar approach.
The EU's foreign policy is lacking, according to you, "determination and consistency." What will you offer?
The situation in Gaza shows that Europeans must contribute to the relaunching of a peace process. All solutions to ensure the delivery of aid to Gaza and trade require a form of international assistance and there is a role for the EU. European nations, when they speak together, can have a particular impact. That the Israeli government to decide whether to accept the fact-finding mission to which France and Great Britain are favorable.In a situation like this, we must unite our capabilities. It is also the case for Iran. We work closely with France to allow the adoption of new UN sanctions. We also want to discuss additional EU measures. Again, the Union can demonstrate its collective weight.
Are there still you think a "special relationship" between Britain and the United States?
Yes, this special relationship exists. I called the alliance indivisible. It is expressed through a wide range of cooperation (diplomatic, military, nuclear, intelligence, economics …). Great Britain and the United States is still the largest investor in the partner. But it is not for us to choose from competing in Europe or France. Both relations, transatlantic and European natural fit.
Afghanistan is a priority.Can you do better than the government of Gordon Brown?
We need a viable political process at the same time that military progress in the field. Of course, it's difficult, but we must remain faithful friends. We will remain strongly committed to Afghanistan. The worst would be to leave an uncertainty reflected in our action. This would only strengthen those who do not want a future of peace. The question is not whether we will continue to make our contribution but how we will.
With France, cooperation in defense looks promising?
We already talked with our counterparts in French when we were in opposition. It is still too early to make announcements: the review of our strategic policy and defense completed in the fall. But we are very open to new ideas and a closer cooperation.David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy have already established between them a great working atmosphere. We have many things to do together to ensure the growth of our economies, develop civil nuclear power or act in the field of immigration. The fact that the Prime Minister and I have chosen to perform in France our first bilateral visit abroad shows the enormous importance that we attach to these relationships.
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Back to basics for Lakshmi Mittal. The Chairman of ArcelorMittal, the fifth World Fortune has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a steel plant in India, Karnataka State, south of the country. A mammoth project with an annual capacity of six million tonnes which would require more than 5 billion euros of investment. In the crosshairs, the Indian market: "India needs more steel and we must take part in this growth," said Lakshmi Mittal.
It was a long ArcelorMittal looking to implement a major project in India. A similar agreement was thus created in 2006 to develop a huge site.The state of Orissa, north-east, had been chosen, but since the group steelmaker hardly be allocated land by local authorities.
Beyond the financial aspects, this new project is a highly symbolic Lakshmi Mittal. He might be born in Rajasthan, have raised and educated in Calcutta, the wire was broken long ago with his country of origin. If he cut his teeth in the small mill of his father, the tycoon starts very early in the assault on lucrative opportunities abroad. In Indonesia, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico and Kazakhstan that makes the group a family empire of steel.
Other projects in northern India
The gap is widening even further in 1994 with the partition of the group.Lakshmi, his father and his two brothers did not agree and the company is split into two faxless pay day loans. In Lakshmi operations abroad to the rest of the family, the Indian Affairs. Since, like Anil and Mukesh Ambani, the richest two brothers of the world settle their disputes before the courts, Mittal have all the trouble in the world to reconcile. Incommensurate with the billions earned by Lakshmi, his two younger brothers were still able to grow and it is not uncommon for the two groups are fighting the same markets. Africa was the setting for these quarrels, in 2004 or 2008 in Liberia and Nigeria.
Gradually, Lakshmi was thus cut off from India. Yet holds an Indian passport, he could never win in his homeland.Stamped "NRI", acronym of Indians living outside their borders, it has long been criticized for its lack of involvement in Indian affairs. Ask in the streets of Bombay Indian captains of industry, the name of Mittal will systematically swept under the carpet, at the expense of the brothers Ambani, Ratan Tata or India's Richard Branson, Vijay Mallya.
With this comeback, Lakshmi Mittal India regilds therefore its image. Especially since the Indian adventure should not stop there way. In addition to this mill, ArcelorMittal plans to inject more than $ 20 billion in other sites in northern India.
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Concern swells in China. While inflation has risen another 2.8% in April, house prices have soared 12.8% last month, their sharpest rise in five years. The measures launched in recent months by the central government to cool the Chinese economy struggling to reassure. So much so that some Chinese personalities out of their usual reserve to sound the alarm.
In a video interview published in the Financial Times, Li Daokui, professor at Tsinghua University (located in the northwest suburbs of Beijing) and member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the People's Bank of China, said that "the problem housing in China is actually much more fundamental and more important as the housing market in the United States and the United Kingdom before the financial crisis. " He said "it is not only a problem of a bubble.
A "social problem"
Soaring property prices may lead to "social problems of great magnitude," Li Daokui analysis. What would happen is China, at a time when wage demands and strikes have taken center stage in recent days. "When prices start to rise, many people, especially youth, are becoming very concerned." The home ownership, which already applies to few households would be increasingly difficult in the current euphoria estate .
The authorities have announced a round of measures since last January in order to stop the burning of property prices. The state has already imposed restrictions on sales of apartments, including the introduction of "flat shop" in Beijing. He has also taken steps to tighten credit flowing.New loans granted by banks in April, however, have reached 774 billion yuan (87.7 billion euros), or 182.2 billion more than in April 2009. Finally, the government announced the "gradual" introduction of a tax on real property.
Reform at the local level
To advise the Central Bank, this range of measures is a "first step", which will control real estate speculation. But it must involve "a long-term reform" of the Chinese real estate market, warns Li Daokui. "The second stage will address the supply problem." According to the professor, steps should be taken in the second semester or early next year to encourage local governments to provide housing for households moderate and low wage.For now, local authorities prefer to sell their land to generate revenue, Li Daokui regrets.
For him, the tax on housing advertised nationally is not a solution because it may further exclude households in the housing market. An opinion shared by Axa Investment Managers. In his weekly memo, the economist Hervé Lievore points to the "vicious cycle" moved "between investors, developers and local communities," the potential to fuel a "social discontent." Believing that the policy implemented by Beijing makes sense, analysts at Societe Generale also stress the need to manage the supply of real estate in order to curb rising prices and facilitate the accession of China to the property.
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New waves of turbulence on Thursday on European equity markets. At 2:35 p.m., the CAC 40 yielded 3.10% at 3403.06 points, in a transaction volume of more than 3 billion euros. The London Stock Exchange lost 2.04% at the same time, while the German Dax loose 2.41%. Already very tight, investors have been demoralized by a poor U.S. statistics: registrations are weekly unemployment rose against all odds, for the first time since early April in the U.S. during the week of May 15, at 471 000 446 000 cons the previous week, according to the Labor Department.
The euro goes down quickly and found $ 1.23, after having taken the day 1.5% up to 1.2414 dollar. The rebound came after the sharp decline of the single currency in the night from Tuesday to Thursday, which has pushed the euro to a new four year more, to 1.2144 dollar.
In Paris banking stocks pull the index up. Credit Agricole rises from 1.17% to 9.49 euros and signed the largest increase in the index. Societe Generale gained 1.62%, 36.40 euros and BNP Paribas, 2.1% to 47.23 euros.
According to Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, the euro is not "in danger". His German counterpart, said this morning in the Financial Times that he considers the markets "really out of control" and advocates more regulation.
Several statistical significance Thursday
In Germany, producer prices rose 0.8% in April, official data showed on Thursday.In one year, they recorded a rise of 0.6%.
In the U.S., the composite indicator of economic activity for the month of April and industrial activity in the Philadelphia area in May are still awaited by the operators No teletrack payday loans.
Air France: record loss
On the CAC 40, a single value in the red: Arcelor Mittal, which lost 1.21%, to 24.49 euros.On the SBF 120, it appears as Soitec the red lantern (-6.64% to 8.84 euros): the producer of silicon on insulator for the semiconductor industry has confirmed its forecast return to operating breakeven this year, Concentrix off after a current operating loss reduced during the second half of 2009-2010.
In addition, Air France-KLM (+0.06% 9.61 euros) confirmed anticipate a return to operational balance in 2010-2011 after posting record losses after an exercise she calls it himself as "annus horribilis." Franco Dutch airline, which renounces propose an annual dividend, also undergoes an early exercise sealed by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjöll.
Credit Agricole (1.17% to 9.49 euros) was no surprise on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Jean-Marie Sander as his successor Rene Carron as president of the bank, marking the arrival of a new tandem leaders the head of the listed vehicle of mutual group.
Sanofi-Aventis (0.90% to 30 euros): Brazil has given the green light to redeem Medley by the pharmaceutical company for 500 million euros.
The Board of Directors and the two main shareholders of Sperian have agreed to repurchase the company specialized in personal protective equipment by the industry group American Honeywell for $ 1.4 billion. The shares are still suspended from trading.
Are expected date general meetings of CIC, Carbone Lorraine, Thales, Rexel, Eramet and Suez Environment.
Greece, Portugal and Spain. Southern Europe continues to frighten the markets. The Spanish saw its debt rating one notch worse, with a negative outlook.
Between degradation rate and retention Note
During a joint press conference yesterday, Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank, and Dominique Strauss-Kahn, director of the International Monetary Fund, have called on Germany to take an expeditious decision on aid Greece. Both men say they are confident. German Chancellor Angela Merkel seems he heard the message, since it has declared its intention to activate "as quickly as possible" aid plan.
Fortunately, a decision from the United States has been somewhat reassure financial markets. The Fed has indeed confirmed keep interest rates low for a "prolonged period". And this, despite a rapid recovery of the economy.In this context, the Paris markets are cautious. Around 10:30 am, the CAC 40 rose 0.52% to 3806.81 points. At the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE-100 gained 0.55% to 5617.19 points, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the DAX 30 in advance from 0.30% to 6102.59 points.
After two sessions of sharp declines, the bank stocks are returning to earnings. BNP Paribas gained 1.55% to 51.77 euros, Dexia advance of 1.22% to 4.15 euros and Societe Generale was up 0.45% to 41.10 euros. In contrast, Credit Agricole, which said Wednesday night that its exposure to sovereign risk in Greece amounted to EUR 850 million, lost 0.32% to 11.02 euros.
CAC 40: Pernod-Ricard in mind, PPR red lantern
Among the values that have posted Wednesday, PPR has returned to growth in the first quarter after five consecutive quarters of downturn, and said Tuesday anticipate a further acceleration in sales during the year. However, PPR shares fell sharply from 2.65% to 101.20 euros, the biggest drop in the CAC 40.
The Thursday is rich in quarterly publications: ArcelorMittal (-1.80% to 30.58 euros) reported a net profit decline of 36.6% in first quarter 2010 over fourth quarter 2009.
France Telecom (1.44% 16.57 EUR) has published a turnover down 2% in the first quarter of 2010, in line with market expectations.
The result of Sanofi-Aventis (-0.67% to 51.53 euros) rose 9.7% to 2.4 billion euros in first quarter 2010 against a consensus of 2.28 billion euros.
Bull (0.62% to 3.23 euros) saw its sales boosted by the acquisition of Amesys, a company specializing in security systems: its sales rose 9.4% against 0.6 % off-Amesys.
Pernod Ricard has announced an increase of 14% of its turnover for the third quarter of 2010 of its fiscal year 2009-2010 to offset 1.5 billion euros.Pernod Ricard shares climbed 3.70% to 65.32 euros, the largest increase in the CAC 40.
The results of Vivendi (0.87% to 19.61 euros), AXA (-0.89% at 15.01 euros), Bouygues (0.60% to 36.89 euros), Areva (-1, 32% to 375 euros) or Michelin (-0.38% to 52.30 euros) are also expected.
Renault (-1.47% to 34.24 euros) has announced the acquisition of interests between the group, its Japanese partner Nissan and Germany's Daimler had been made Wednesday. The three groups have formalized their alliance in early April for three to share technologies and reduce costs.
The U.S. unemployment statistics in the heart of the day
On the macroeconomic front, the day will, however, less responsible.By midmorning, the German Federal Labour Office has reported a decline of 68,000 in the number of jobseekers in seasonally adjusted data, to 3.285 million, while economists were expecting an average decline of 10,000. Around 14:30, the investors will also monitor the weekly claims for unemployment benefits in the United States, and economic confidence in April in the euro area.
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While Asian markets have evolved this Friday in the wake of the rise on Wall Street Thursday night, and the Dow Jones is still expected to slightly increase this Friday, the Paris Stock Exchange followed suit since. Despite mixed INSEE statistics, the CAC 40, which opened up 0.75%, and the bar and went over 4,000 points, gaining 1.11% to more resolutely 4022.67 points in mid session.
Thursday evening, the CAC 40 lost 1.2% and has crossed back to the lower threshold of 4000 points. The other major stock markets fell back in unison. In London the FTSE lost 0.86% while in Frankfurt the Dax has yielded 0.81% at closing.Note that the LSE has found its place in the first quarter from a number of European IPOs, according to PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
The concern of financial markets is felt continually faced with the fragility of public finances of several countries, particularly Greece.
Statistics in Europe
According to INSEE, industrial production for the month of February in France remained stable, reflecting continued moderate demand should limit growth throughout the first quarter. The INSEE reported Friday in a stable production after rising 1.1% in January, a figure revised from an initial estimate of 1.6%.
The cost of construction in France, however, declined from 1.05% yoy in the fourth quarter of 2009, after already falling 5.77% in the third quarter and 4.10% in the second quarter, said the INSEE Friday.
In Germany, foreign trade for the month of February will be announced at 8 o'clock. In the United Kingdom, are the producer prices in March which will be published.
In the United States, no statistics major is expected on Friday to share the figures for U.S. wholesalers f?rvrier.
France Telecom provided by the Paris court
France Info radio said the prosecutor of Paris will open a judicial inquiry after the 35 suicides by employees of France Telecom. The action, however, clinching +0.55% at 17, 470 euros in mid-day.
Air France (2.99% to 12.225 euros) showed a traffic increase of 4.7% for the month of March, a first for a year.The group remains to Ryanair. To also monitor the impact on the airline industry's consolidation movement in progress. According to the American press, U.S. Airways and United Airlines are considering a reconciliation. In addition, British Airways and Iberia have finalized their merger agreement.
Areva (2.22%) and EDF (1.59%) would participate in the growth of nuclear power in Italy. Several agreements have to be signed on Friday between French and Italian companies in the sector reported the Financial Times.
The specialist luxury yacht Rodriguez returned Thursday after the stock market success of the restructuring of its debt. The share price rose yesterday by more than 138.97%.On Friday, the shares are still 36.5%.
Renault (0.64%), its Japanese partner Nissan and the Italian energy group Enel signed Thursday a Memorandum of Understanding for the development in Italy of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Cegid, publisher of management software, announced a 7% decline in net sales in the first quarter to 58 million euros and a gross margin of 87.9% against 87.5% a year ago. In exchange, Cegid loses 1.21% to 22.12 euros.
French Cement (4.25%, to 77.83 euros) announces that its takeover bid for all or part of its 2002 and 2006 private placements to U.S. investors is now closed. French Cement will then redeem all shares tendered at a price of 1 065 dollars for each security with a face value of 1 000 dollars.The funds to purchase securities were placed at the disposal of the company and its subsidiary Italcementi Italcementi Finance.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev himself has planned to attend the ceremony. On Friday, the Baltic pipeline, Nord Stream, carried by the Russian company Gazprom, will finally stage of project to construction. The first stone of the future submarine pipe along 1200 km will be laid in Vyborg, on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, a hundred miles from St. Petersburg. Nord Stream is expected to provide, by 2013, 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year, delivered directly to Germany. Gerard Mestrallet, Chairman of GDF Suez, attend the ceremony. The French group is involved in the project which is expected shortly to become a shareholder in the consortium with 9% of the capital.
"Nord Stream is a key element of security of supply, without any transit countries, welcomed Mestrallet early March on the occasion of the Paris visit of Dmitri Medvedev.The Baltic pipeline will in fact Russia to deliver Europe (which represents 80% of its gas exports), bypassing Ukraine, a transit country whose relationship has been adversarial with Moscow until the election February's pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Nord Stream also avoids another export route, via Bi?olorussie-ally-capricious and Poland.
During the visit of Russian President in France, Gerard Mestrallet had welcomed the historic relationship of GDF established with Gazprom for thirty-five and secure supply contracts until 2030. But everyone in Paris does not share this idyllic vision of the relationship with Russia, the leading exporter of natural gas."Europe is dramatically dependent" for its gas, alarmed Stoffa?s Christian, chairman of the Center for Future Studies and International Information (CEPII), who has written a report on the subject on behalf of the Council Strategic Analysis, a body attached to Matignon. If the 145-page document provides a finding widespread evidence of the vulnerability on its European gas supply, Christian Stoffa?s was accompanied by comments not always diplomatic in presenting Friday empire payday loans. The risk of dependence is not one of supply disruption, Stoffa?s analysis, but it "weighs on the minds of Europeans and creates tensions." Europe currently imports 60% of its gas needs, 25% in Russia.The depletion of fields in the North Sea and the growth of demand should increase this dependence. Christian Stoffa?s regrets unvarnished recruitment by "providers" of former European leaders, referring to the former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who became chairman of the board of shareholders of Nord Stream. "The importers are under blackmail from Gazprom but do not want bureaucrats in Brussels", Assen yet the author of the report. The former director of Foresight EDF considers that the Ukrainian crisis for most of 2006 and January 2009, when the tap was actually closed, the awareness of the need for joint action gains little from the Old Continent little.
"A real strength of negotiation"
The report recommends Stoffa?s among six recommendations, the creation of a Central European call.It takes up an idea put forward by Nicolas Sarkozy in his speech of May 5, 2009 at Nimes, "I want to bring the idea of a central European purchasing gas for Europe is a real strength in negotiations with its suppliers. "Jacques Delors, former President of the Commission, which is close Stoffa?s Christian, has just called with the same strategic objectives of independence, the creation of a European power, in a preamble report published by the think tank Notre Europe. The fact is that "the sellers are the condition of the sale," admitted recently Jean-Francois Cirelli, vice-chairman of GDF Suez.Stoffa?s Christian is convinced that even if the process takes years, "if there is political will, the companies will be happy to be less dependent on Gazprom.
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