Reuters: Regulatory News: UPDATE 1-France to defend cultural exceptions on trade "to the end"

Reuters: Regulatory News Reuters.com is your source for breaking news, business, financial and investing news, including personal finance and stocks. Reuters is the leading global provider of news, financial information and technology solutions to the world's media, financial institutions, businesses and individuals. // via fulltextrssfeed.com

UPDATE 1-France to defend cultural exceptions on trade "to the end" Jun 12th 2013, 10:29 Wed Jun 12, 2013 6:29am EDT PARIS, June 12 (Reuters) - France said on Wednesday it would ensure cultural exceptions on its products were preserved in any transatlantic trade deal, a stance which might block the planned opening of talks between the European Union and Washington. "France defends and will defend the cultural exception to the end - that's a red line," Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti told Reuters TV, adding that France would do this "even if it is alone in doing so". Asked if Paris would go as far as blocking the opening of the talks, for which the EU's executive Commission wants member states to give it a negotiating mandate at a meeting this Friday, she replied: "France is extremely determined." France has long defended the system of subsidies and other state support for European film, radio and other audio-visual products at the heart of the cultural exception, arguing they are vital to preserve cultural diversity in the face of Hollywood-driven market forces. Filippetti said Europe's cultural and entertainment sectors were major industries in their own right, employing an estimated 6.7 million people.

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to this feed at blogtrottr.com. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe from this feed, or manage all your subscriptions