This was applied this summer to the prefects

Must meet today in le Puy-en-Velay elected from medium-sized cities, the new centrist Minister explains the "Echos" its programme of work: an application of clear commitments made by the public services in rural areas and suburbs, a strengthening of the digital coverage, including in the less dense areas, and maintenance of access minimum transport to which the SNCF is invited to participate financially.

What are you going to propose today to the elected representatives of the medium-sized cities coming successively suffer the effects of the new map judicial, military restructuring, the hospital reform

I don't want to come up with solutions all made but adapted to each city, because all are not in the same situation and do not have the same ambitions. For example, I think that they have a role to play in higher education, through the IUT in particular. We'll also try to have a possible more voluntary action in the field of transport, including on the routes of land-use planning. Coral trains must not be abandoned. This is deficit bonds, but one could imagine that a part of the economy that the SNCF will make professional tax is devoted to the maintenance of the lines and the renovation of coral trains, even if possible some of the freight trains, who have a true vocation of spatial planning. The restoration of the rolling stock could also benefit from this envelope.

Access to public services has been the subject of a more or less well applied Charter. What is your position on this point

The signed Charter between the State, the Association of the mayors of France and the fifteen major operators has been applied in a differentiated manner, that it has not been followed with the same enthusiasm by all its signatories. I think a better control of the State and politicians is necessary in this area. This worked well in the case of the post, which took into account a real territorial dimension and spent means. We will ensure that these concerns be reaffirmed with other operators. I think for example that could aggregate points position in mayors of other public services such as pension funds, social security, employment pole or chambers of crafts and trade. We will do this now to the revitalization of this Charter to decline in every territory of services commitments which would be guaranteed in territorial agreements, signed between the various operators of public services. This should be completed next year.

How are you going to do to maintain equal access to digital services displayed by the Government

In digital coverage, we want to deploy an infrastructure in fibre optics throughout the territory so that all have access to quality services. But this does not mean that we have to be everywhere in the same way. The role of the State, it is to restore the balances between the territories to promote fairness. We will start by achieving digital coverage patterns, in liaison with local authorities and operators. This was applied this summer to the prefects. On this basis the State may decide to intervene financially. I proposed to the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister that a part of the large loan is set to digital coverage, to eliminate differences there where population density makes it more difficult the involvement of the private operators.

What means will be allocated to the renewal of the device at the poles of rural excellence announced this week by the Prime Minister

It is a device that has been successful. Most of some 380 Poles work well and will be nearing completion at the end of this year or next year. The Prime Minister has decided to launch a new generation of Poles, including reinforcing their scope on the activities of employment and economic development, including sustainable development and environmental concerns. The envelope remains to be determined for the preparation of the budget, but it will be at least equal to that granted in the first period, i.e. 235 million euros.

Are you considering other measures for the countryside

The President of the Republic sought that it leads a strong policy in these areas of the territory, and in particular rural development. I can announce today that will be organised in the months that come from the rural Foundation, based on a consensus in the territories and the aim will be to implement consistency all the work already achieved in this area and to propose an action programme to implement the policy in their favour by the head of State.

Regarding the military restructuring, the implementation of the plans for the conversion seems laborious...

Not at all. Instead, it is a procedure which worked well. Thus, while the balance is only partial, the involvement of elected representatives, the administration and my Department suggests an important economic development. Many new jobs will be created to compensate for the loss of military jobs. Contracts remaining to sign related sites where the army is not yet party, particularly in the northeast of the country and in overseas. I said that the State has made commitments and them was required in terms of compensation.