PARIS, June 16: The planned merger between pan-European stock market Euronext and the New York Stock Exchange would allow France to boost its role in the financial world, NYSE chief executive John Thain said on Friday.“Our alliance in no way threatens the 'business' of Euronext and the position of Paris as a place of finance. On the contrary it will reinforce it, notably vis-a-vis London” Thain told the Figaro daily.

Many European leaders and commentators have voiced a preference for a European partner for Euronext rather than a transatlantic alliance.

The latest voice was that of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi who indicated on Wednesday that he would rather see German stock market operator Deutsche Boerse take over its pan-European rival Euronext.

“A tie-up with Deutsche Boerse would move a lot of jobs and French financial influence towards Germany,” he said.—AFP