French President Francois Hollande responded to the US President-elect Donald Trump's criticism of the European Union by saying the bloc did not need to be told what to do by outsiders. 
"Europe will be ready to pursue transatlantic cooperation, but it will based on its interests and values," Hollande said before awarding France's highest honor to outgoing US ambassador Jane Hartley. 
"It does not need outside advice to tell it what to do," he underlined. 
Speaking in an interview with London's Times newspaper, Trump described himself as a big fan of Britain and endorsed its citizens' vote last year to leave the European Union, predicting that more countries would seek to follow Britain's example. 
Hollande, said that the current geopolitical climate meant Europe had no choice but to strengthen its defense and military integration to ensure its voice was heard around the world. A concept France have always defended allying with NATO. 
Speaking to a UN climate conference in Morocco, Hollande praised US President Barack Obama for his role in getting the landmark pact adopted in the French capital last year, Mercury news reported.

Source: QNA