French finance minister says prospect of EU fines 'not an issue'

French Finance Minister Michel Sapin (L) and Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron speak together during the questions to the government session before the vote on the 2015 budget bill at the National Assembly in Paris November 18, 2014. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

PARIS (Reuters) - France's finance minister has played down any risk that Paris might be fined for breaking EU budgetary rules just days before the European Commission rules on the government's failure to cut its budget deficit.

Several EU officials have told Reuters that a fine was still an option.