French (Vichy) Prime Minister Pierre Laval was enthusiastic of the proposal, and in a document to Hitler he wrote that France was ready for territorial sacrifices in Tunisia and Alsace-Lorraine to bring about an "atmosphere of confidence" in Europe.[1] He also stated that France must prepare to join the customs union, and was ready to accept long-term German military occupation of the French Atlantic coast if such is necessary for the protection of the continent.[2] He also hoped that these measures would not exclude Germany and Italy of allowing France to regain "a position appropriate to its continental and colonial past" in the future.[2]