French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin on Wednesday called for a "Europe of projects" after European Union (EU) failed to reach agreement on 2007-2013 budget.

In an interview with France-3 television, Villepin urged European countries to "fight for a Europe of projects" which could include harmonious economic policy, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), research, security and defense, as well as a real European democracy.

There could be "one, two, three great centres of European high technology" established in France, he said.

As for the CAP, denounced as outmoded by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Villepin described it as "a trump for Europe" and a " real power."

There also should be "a great project concerning economic policy," said he.

"Let us ensure that the 12 countries of the eurozone can get together, talk about the harmonisation of their policies and that the eurogroup can talk to the European Central Bank, while respecting its independence."

He said he wanted to follow the example of French President Jacques Chirac in defining "the way of a Europe closer to its citizens, taking into account indispensable social requirements."

De Villepin was appointed prime minister after the French voter in the May 29 referendum rejected the EU constitutional treaty.

Source: Xinhua