EU Economic Think Tank May Be Created

A Franco-German initiative to set up a European economic think tank could soon be launched. The idea was discussed Tuesday by European Union finance ministers. Sources close to the debate said that an official announcement would be made shortly. Jean Pisanu-Ferry, a French economist widely tipped to head the new body, was present at the discussion. EU diplomats confirmed that six member states had already signed up to the plan: France, Germany, Spain, Greece, Hungary and Poland. They said that others, such as the Netherlands, would soon be ready to join. But Britain and Italy are thought to want more involvement from the corporate sector. Funding would be provided partly by the member states involved and partly by corporate interests. The center would offer "a European perspective on global economic issues," an EU diplomat told the EUobserver. It would aim to feed ideas to EU decision-makers. (EUobserver.com)