Christian Noyer: There will be no break-up of the euro area - interview in
Sud Ouest
Interview with Mr Christian Noyer, Governor of the Bank of France and Chairman of the
Board of Directors of the Bank for International Settlements, in Sud Ouest, Bordeaux,
conducted by Mr Bernard Broustet on 17 January 2011.
* * *
Sud Ouest: How is our economy faring?
Christian Noyer: The economy is picking up. The third quarter of 2010 was slightly
disappointing, but the fourth was better, with estimated growth of 0.6%. This trend is
expected to continue in early 2011, even though a number of factors call for caution: the
automobile sector could slow down due to the phasing out of the scrappage scheme, and the
fiscal retrenchment measures implemented in some European countries may weigh on
demand. But, all in all, growth is there.
Sud Ouest: Will household consumption, which is the main driver of growth in France,
be impacted by higher inflation?
Christian Noyer: The surge in inflation that we are now observing at the start of year can be
ascribed to higher energy and commodity prices. Current price levels appear particularly high
when compared to the exceptionally low levels seen at end-2009. This difference will no
doubt become less marked in the coming months. Given the unemployment rate and the still
low capacity utilisation rate, I think that it is unlikely that the rise in commodity prices could
result in second round effects in our economy. Nonetheless, higher prices are temporarily
weighing on household purchasing power and we must remain vigilant.
Sud Ouest: Might the speculative attacks on the some countries' sovereign debt and
concerns over the euro's future dampen consumption and investment?
Christian Noyer: No, there are no grounds for concern. Europe has shown over the past few
months that it is capable of rallying together and providing effective and innovative solutions
for countries that fall prey to speculative forces.
Sud Ouest: But it is evident that this is not enough to deter investors from attacking
the sovereign debts of some countries...
Christian Noyer: At present, these attacks are centred on the countries of Southern Europe.
Markets tend to tar with the same brush all the countries perceived as the most fragile in the
euro area, whereas their situations differ considerably. The sovereign debt dynamics of some
non-European G7 countries are more worrying that those of many euro area countries.
Sud Ouest: Aren't speculators betting on a break-up of the euro area?
Christian Noyer: By definition, this scenario is totally ruled out: no country is willing to
consider this option since it would have an astronomic cost for all euro area countries, the
strong and the weak alike.
Sud Ouest: Won't the fiscal austerity measures imposed on euro area countries that
have benefited from EU-IMF loans have exorbitant social costs?
Christian Noyer: They may be hard to bear. But it would be unrealistic to think that growth
and purchasing power can be lastingly sustained if public deficits continue to rise.
Sud Ouest: France has taken over the presidency of the G-20 group of leading nations.
And, on this occasion, Nicolas Sarkozy would like to pave the way towards a reform of
the international monetary system that would reduce the dollar's role. Do you see this
as a possibility?
The aim is not to reduce the role of the dollar. Even though it has already
Christian Noyer:
partially lost its sole reserve currency status, the dollar will continue to play a major role in
trade. France is approaching this presidency with an open mind, but there is no doubt that
the international monetary system is no longer suited to today's world. Designed in the 1940s
and reformed in the 1970s, this system bears the hallmark of an era when international trade
played a much smaller role, and when emerging countries such as China, India and Brazil
were much less significant players in the global economy. This new configuration must be
taken into account. Today, we must hold discussions and debates, measure the magnitude
of capital flows that could have very destabilising effects on some countries and strive in a
united manner to correct the major imbalances that are dampening world growth.