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"I'm European," French President Francois Hollande said on Thursday, seeking to play hardball to resolve crisis in Ukraine and Greece, Europe's two major headaches that risk to put the European bloc's security and financial stability on edge.
Speaking of the crisis in Ukraine, Hollande proposed a new peace deal, announcing a coordinated trip with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Kiev to discuss their diplomatic initiative.
"Ukraine is at war. Heavy weapons are being used, and civilians are killed every day. I decided, with Angela Merkel, to take a new initiative. We will make a new proposal to solve the conflict," Hollande told reporters before his trip to Ukraine.
Warning that a war in doorstep could evolve into "a total war," Hollande expected "a text that can be acceptable to all" in coming talks, while reiterating Paris' refusal for a military option to end the crisis in Kiev.
"There are two options: either we start thinking that we should arm the protagonists, or there is another option which is that of diplomacy and negotiation. It (negotiation) cannot continue indefinitely," Hollande stressed.
The two European leaders' trip to Kiev came after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited Ukraine after the ceasefire deal collapsed.
Hollande and Merkel are expected in Ukraine to meet the present Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko and in Moscow Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday in a bid to halt escalating violence in Ukraine.
In Moscow, officials accepted to discuss the Franco-German peace proposal and hoped the talks would be "constructive," while Ukraine awaits the talks with "restrained optimism."
FACILITATING GREECE-EUROZONE TALKS
With the Leftists gaining power in Greece, Hollande renewed on Thursday calls to focus on growth and to move away from austerity- only policies.
"Austerity can not be a solution neither for the Greek nor for the Europeans," Hollande said in a press meeting, the fifth since he took power in May 2012.
"France's role is to find a solution, to contribute to a deal respectfully, with respect for the Greeks' vote, but also with respect for the European rules and commitments," he told reporters.
To not miss the shot, Hollande proposed to facilitate talks between anti-austerity Greek government who wants a new bailout deal, eurozone leaders and international creditors who urged Athens to respect commitments.
"France is able to unite the European countries with each other. Nothing would be worse than to humiliate the Greeks," the president said.
"France can ensure solidarity with Greece. We must seek together an alternative, work together to decide together," he added.
In order to meet its financing needs, Athens got 240 billion euros (275 billion U.S. dollars) rescue package under Europe's bailout program. If it would fail to renew it, the country, whose debt exceeds 320 billion euros, or 175 percent of its GDP, risks a default.
REFORMS, NEW MEASURES TO BOOST NATIONAL UNITY
For France, Hollande pledged to push through reforms defying critics to put French economy on recovery track via "responsibility pact" and "law on growth and activity."
Despite his broken promises on reducing millions of job claims, Hollande stressed "the rise in unemployment is not a fatality. We will continue reforms. We will continue to simplify (procedures)."
"We have to go further with reforms concerning youth employment, integration of long-term unemployed people, improve the performance of our businesses, facilitate the financing of our economy," he added.
To the French head of state, the eurozone's second largest power "can not preserve its unity, maintain its own position and act in Europe if it isn't economically strong."
"We must be bold and show willingness and initiatives," the Socialist leader told reporters.
In order to preserve "the spirit of Jan. 11," during which "the French turned out in the streets because they believed in their country," Hollande said to invest more in education and housing "to make (French) democracy stronger and fairer."
He promised to create up to 160,000 places by June for adults under the age of 26 to do eight months of public service, to tackle ghettos around many cities and help failing pupils.
"I won't stop acting for France's unity," Hollande stressed.
Cornered by growing critics over failure to fix France's economic troubles, Hollande said "if (a president) does not achieve his targets, e can not be a candidate (for 2017 presidential race)".
"The popularity must not be a factor to make decision. I did it with a very low popularity, I did it with a little improved one. I will always take decisions till the end," he said.
After a short honeymoon at the Elysee Palace, Hollande suffered a severe setback in approval ratings. His handling of January's attacks in Paris gave him impetus. However, according to analysts, the impact would be limited due to persistent economic woes. Enditem
