I think this may be down to a JAA rule which limits national authorities to only approving licenses for their own residents, or outside whatever definition of Europe is in use. So France can issue paperwork to somebody resident in France, or resident in the US, but not to either a Frenchman resident in the UK, or a Brit resident in the UK.
Causes many problems that one, and does nothing to maintain a level regulatory playing field within Europe.
G