While the second-largest euro-area economy is obviously not a crisis country, it has nevertheless seen its competitiveness contract, and its public finances are in bad shape. Moreover, France needs to act as a role model for smaller economies.
But to the extent that we are seen as large, highgrowth countries, and as contributors to incremental global growth, we have issues in which we have a common interest. It is not as though we must have a common view on every issue that emerges in international fora. But I believe that the consultation has so far been value adding.