New EU treaty for 27 'difficult': French PM

(PARIS) - French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said Tuesday it was more likely a Franco-German proposal for a new EU treaty to rescue the euro would be agreed by the eurozone's 17 members than the EU's 27.

"Germany would like a treaty signed by 27, we think that will be difficult," Fillon told MPs from President Nicolas Sarkozy's ruling UMP party, according to a source close to the party who asked to remain anonymous.

"We will try during the European Council on Friday and, if there's no unanimity, we'll do it with 17 with a timetable for March 2012," Fillon said ahead of a crucial EU summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.

"Concerning the economic governance of the eurozone, that's what (President) Nicolas Sarkozy has sought for years, concerning budgetary discipline, growth and competitiveness," Fillon said.

Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced their plan for a new EU treaty and tougher budgetary rules, including swift sanctions for lax eurozone economies, following crisis talks in Paris on Monday.