PARIS (Reuters) - Incoming EU Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier said on Monday he knew the importance of the City of London for growth in Britain and Europe, but he would also promote Frankfurt and Paris.
Some British financial services leaders are concerned Barnier, a former foreign minister who has the backing of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, will push for stricter regulation at the expense of the City.
"I know the importance of the City. I know the importance of this major financial centre for growth in Britain and for all of Europe's economy," he said on Europe 1 radio.
"It's not my job to be nice or nasty. I have to work in Europe's interest to draw lessons from the crisis, including in the City's interest to support this financial centre, as well as others including Frankfurt and Paris."
The new European Commission is expected to take office early next year.
Sarkozy said at the weekend Barnier's appointment was a "victory" for France and a loss for Britain.
Barnier's new role allows him to oversee a radical revamp of financial regulations to prevent any new economic crisis.
France is seen as favouring tough regulation and Barnier's appointment worries politicians and bankers in London who are fighting to water down proposed rules on issues like bankers' pay and bonuses and curbs on hedge funds.
Barnier was appointed after Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Union's executive Commission, was persuaded to back the idea over Britain's objections, Sarkozy said.
(Reporting by Anna Willard; editing by Chris Pizzey)
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