French PM says 2.5-billion-euro aid package for French Guiana "unrealistic"

French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve on Monday said French Guiana protest movement's demand of an emergency package worth 2.5 billion euros (2.66 billion U.S. dollars) was "unrealistic," calling for a continued negotiation to end social unrest in the country's overseas territory.

"It would be easy for the government to take the easy way out and promise an unrealistic amount of financial aid and after leaving the responsibility to another government," Cazeneuve said.

"That is not the idea that we have of responsibility," he added after a ministerial meeting to discuss an eventual alternative to end social unrest in the territory in South America.

With the general strike in French Guiana entered the eighth day, Cazeneuve asked representatives of demonstrators to accept further negotiations.

He added 11 agreements had been reached in "key areas" such as security and justice, fishing, transport, mining, agriculture and energy.

Last Saturday, the government proposed a 1 billion euro aid plan including investments in health, education and infrastructure, in addition to the deployment of extra police and construction of a prison to stop massive protests over poor living conditions, unemployment and insecurity.

However, domestic labor unions refused the offer, demanding instead 2.5 billon euros.

The prime minister defended French President Francois Hollande's record on the issue, affirming that investments in French Guiana had "risen by 79 percent in five years."

He also announced that the government would deliver 4.5 million euros in advance for the General Council of Guiana "in order to pay debts to enterprises" and that the state would "provide support" to develop road infrastructure in the department, notably with the doubling of capacity on certain principle arteries.

French Guiana is one of the poorest departments in France where the unemployment rate stands at 22.3 percent. (1 euro = 1.07 U.S. dollars) Endit