Media: France calls on EU to stop funding groups against European values

France is set to present the European Commission with measures and objections against subsidising organisations that do not uphold the values of the European Union.

According to the French newspaper Figaro, which cited a confidential note outlining Paris’s position, the French government is urging the EU to redouble efforts to combat antisemitism and hate speech, Caliber.Az reports.

It emphasises the need to protect European values by avoiding any funding for groups or individuals deemed hostile to those values.

The note warns that such shortcomings could seriously undermine public support for the European project among EU citizens.

The document is due to be preliminarily presented on May 19 to Austria’s Federal Minister for EU Affairs, Claudia Plakolm, during her meeting in Paris with Benjamin Addad, France’s Minister Delegate for European Affairs, and Bruno Retailleau, the French Interior Minister.

France’s official stance will be formally set out at the Council of the EU’s General Affairs Council meeting, which will also include representatives from the European Commission.

Figaro reports that the move comes amid ongoing scandals involving EU funding of organisations, which Paris says exploits the European Commission’s “naivety.” The newspaper recalls that EU subsidies are intended only for organisations whose activities align with EU values.

To address this, France proposes introducing stricter vetting procedures and clearer guidelines to help European agencies better navigate the often “abstract” concept of hostility towards European values.

French authorities also want to extend background checks to individuals associated with organisations applying for funding, as currently only the organisations themselves are scrutinised.

In addition, France is calling for a strengthened response to rising antisemitism, linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East since October 2023. Part of this includes broadening the scope of “Eurocrimes” to encompass hate crimes and hate speech.

By Aghakazim Guliyev