On his first visit to the Parliament in Strasbourg, François Hollande hears MEPs' views on the budget impasse, unemployment, austerity and intervention in Mali.

France's President debates the future with MEPs

President Schulz gets in  a little practice with the Marseillaise

before welcoming France's President  to the European Parliament.

François Hollande told MEPs that despite  differences over the seven-year EU budget,

he's concerned at the effects of austerity.

There'll be no respite while 27 million  Europeans are unemployed.

There'll be no respite  while in certain EU countries

one young person in two  is looking for a job.

President Hollande also listened  to MEPs' views on key issues,

but it was the budget impasse,  the multiannual financial framework,

These proposals head  in the wrong direction.

Instead of investing in Europe's future,

one of our best tools for growth  is being attacked: the European budget.

We don't want any more of this austerity

which is pushing our own people  into unemployment and poverty.

We must give the European economy  some oxygen.

to make your colleagues understand  that in times of austerity

it is better to pool rare resources  rather than to renationalise them?

Many praised France's intervention  against jihadist invaders in Mali,

although some thought the answer would  be to tackle poverty in that part of Africa.

President Hollande then  took questions from the media.

On the budget issue  he made his position clear.

they would again be elements  unfavourable to growth.

I think he's much more on the side  of the European Parliament

when it comes to better funding  for sustainable development,

sustainable recovery  of the European economy,

Whether he can deliver or not at the summit  will depend on other EU leaders.

He told MEPs one of the biggest  threats facing the EU is public mistrust.

Overcoming the budget problem  may help to address that.