Sarkozy backs France's "unique cultural identity"

CANNES, France (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy promised on Sunday to maintain state support for France's cinema industry and pledged to keep up the country's traditional notion of its own "unique cultural identity".

"I am proud of our country which embodies and defends its unique cultural identity," said a statement to be read in Sarkozy's name at the Cannes film festival by newly appointed Culture Minister Christine Albanel.

"France must defend this fantastic mechanism of financial support which should not be confused with a simple subsidy," she said. "It creates a virtuous circle out of the box office, with money going towards creation in a hopefully permanent movement."

Despite widespread speculation that he would put in an appearance on the red carpet himself, Sarkozy did not visit Cannes on Sunday but the statement from Albanel put the new president firmly in line with policies of his predecessors.

France has traditionally maintained strong state support for culture, particularly in areas such as film production and successive governments have seen the country's rich cultural heritage as a means of promoting France's global influence.

The speech also pledged to maintain France's firm line on intellectual property rights, a key priority in a country with a huge luxury goods industry vulnerable to illegal copying as well as vibrant cinema and music production.

"The digital revolution is a magnificent opportunity, which the festival has taken advantage of by opening its doors to this new means of distribution," the statement read, but warned that new technologies also opened the door to "mass piracy."

"I will be vigilant in this area. Everyone has to play their part in the struggle for rights' protection. you can count on me," it read.