Integrating National

1
Integrating National European PAa French
viewpoint
EPCA VIIth Annual Conference Integrating
Public Affairs National, European Global
a contribution from the French public affairs
trade body Association Française des Conseils en
Lobbying et affaires publiques
Nicolas Bouvier
2
Integrating European and French PAa
schizophrenic approach

• Are we talking about the same thing?
• European PA must have
• Most French companies are convinced that Brussels
  is important for them
• The are active, either directly (local office or
  not) or through their trade associations
• French PA nice to have
• Being an active PA player at national level can
  be difficult
• Despite the fact that most elected officials and
  civil servants welcome PA professionals
• some remain reluctant within companies

3
Brussels, as seen from Parisa visibility issue
more than an efficiency issue

• An ongoing debate the French influence within
  the European institutions
• The French commissioner title and portfolio
• The number of committees chaired within the EP
• The number of DGs within the Commission
• A more political than technical approach
• Chairs count more than attendees
• MEPs high profile politicians instead of good
  technicians
• Being ahead of the debate not perceived as
  important
• Being able to follow up closely on the decisions
  and their transpositions

4
European PA by French bodiesstrongly supported
by the French authorities

• France has a responsibility in the European
  construction
• Promoting the common interest, a strongly rooted
  vision within the French authorities
• French representatives at the Commission and at
  Parliament cautiously avoid being perceived as
  promoters of solely the French interests
• A lack of coordination in Brussels between French
  representatives
• We cannot do everything for you in Brussels
• French companies, trade associations and NGOs are
  encouraged to directly promote their positions in
  Brussels
• Being French is not enough to be supported by
  French representatives

5
PA at the national levelquite a different story

• PA has completely changed over the past 15 / 20
  years in France
• Full legitimacy thanks to strong ethics rules
• As sophisticated than anywhere else same
  strategies, tools, techniques,
• No major issues / scandals
• Companies remain somewhat reluctant to consider
  PA as a day to day and legitimate management tool
• Current debate to promote the profession and its
  transparency at the Parliament and within the
  Government might be a contributor
• But politics in France are changing
• New style / new approaches / new processes

6
Integrating EU and national PAmoving forward

• Can it be improved?
• Through recognition of the differences
• EU decision are taken in Brussels 27 capitals
  (maybe more)
• PA in Brussels are not just a matter of knowing
  the procedures
• PA in Paris, Madrid or Stockholm are not just a
  function of knowing the language
• Through a working together approach
• PA professionals have the same basic knowledge
  background
• PA are always about understanding and integrating
  each specific environment

7
Contact information

• AFCL - Association Française des Conseils en
  Lobbying et affaires publiques
• Created 1991 around a code of ethics
• Pdt. Jean-Christophe Adler
• www.afcl.net
• Nicolas Bouvier nbouvier_at_afcl.net