' ' Fillon : ` ` This situation should not be dramatized '' Ratings agency Standard & Poor 's took away France 's top - tier AAA credit rating Friday . Speaking in Paris , Fillon sought to reassure the international markets . Eight other euro area countries -- including Italy -- were also downgraded by the agency . ` ` France is a safe country , a country which investors can trust , '' Fillon says .
' ' Fillon : ` ` This situation should not be dramatized '' Ratings agency Standard & Poor 's took away France 's top - tier AAA credit rating Friday . Eight other euro area countries -- including Italy -- were also downgraded by the agency . ` ` France is a safe country , a country which investors can trust , '' Fillon says .