Ulrich Grillo [left in photo], chairman of Bunderverband der Deutschen Industrie (BDI), the Federation of German Industries, and Pierre Gattaz [right], president of the Mouvement des entreprises de France (MEDEF), Movement of the Enterprises of France, announced on 5 July 2013 the creation of a standing committee between the two organizations.

The BDI and the MEDEF are also considering opening joint office in Brussels.

This announcement marks a turn in the trajectory of French employers. With its German partner, the MEDEF now intends to make its weight felt in order bring down the cost of energy, which would entail either a rapprochement with Russia, or the exploitation of shale gas, while accelerating the negotiations with the United States over a large area of ​​transatlantic free trade.

Both employers’ associations also will fight together against the proposed tax on financial transactions.