Paris: French President Francois Hollande on Monday responded to 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 honour to outgoing US ambassador Jane Hartley. "It does not need outside advice to tell it what to do."

Speaking in an interview with London's Times newspaper five days before his inauguration, 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.

Trump also said NATO was obsolete because it had not defended adequately against terrorist attacks.