French President Jacques Chirac called on the European Union Friday to help create "industrial champions" within the 25-nation bloc that would be competitive on the global economic stage.

"Let's have a European competition policy that truly takes into account the realities of international competition," Chirac told a meeting of his country's ambassadors and top diplomats.

"Let's strongly support the creation of European industrial champions. We have all the assets and all the talent that we need to succeed."

Neelie Kroes takes over as EU competition commissioner on November 1, replacing Mario Monti, who gave the portfolio a high profile by notably taking on France in a series of bruising battles involving illegal state aid to firms.

France and Germany agreed in June to set up a joint industry forum comprised of business leaders in a bid to boost industrial cooperation.

The decision came amid friction between Paris and Berlin over the French government's bailout plan for struggling engineering group Alstom.

Chirac, delivering a wide-ranging foreign policy speech, also called for better coordination of economic and budgetary policy among euro zone countries.

"Let's draw inspiration from the example set by the United States and build an open and constructive dialogue between governments and the European Central Bank on the issue of European economic strategy" with a view to stimulating growth and creating jobs, he said.

Chirac urged his country's diplomats to help promote French companies abroad, saying "million of jobs, the future of the French economy depends on exports and the international competitivity of our businesses".

"I expect you to be the personal partners of French companies, especially small and medium-sized businesses, helping them to identify opportunities," the French president said.