Juncker and Hollande discuss steel industry's survival

The future of the French and Luxembourg steel industries was discussed when Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker met with French president François Hollande on Thursday.

Juncker travelled to Metz in France to meet the French leader and share their ideas on how to “give a future to work in the steel industry and the Greater Region.”

The pair agreed to strengthen cooperation between Luxembourg and French region Lorraine by establishing, among other things, joint projects at the Belval site in Luxembourg.

The leaders also discussed the European Union's policies, the euro, Syria and the European elections scheduled for May 2014. The meeting followed a visit by Hollande to a threatened ArcelorMittal steel plant in Florange, in France, where the leader was greeted by trade unionists.

The French leader announced plans to establish a research centre for the French steel industry at the site to help “ensure the steel of tomorrow”.