Last modification: 24/07/08
 
The French presidency of the European Union
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France takes on the EU presidency July 1 with one main challenge for Nicolas Sarkozy: pursuit of the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. The Mediterranean Union, the CAP and immigration issues also stand high on France's agenda.

Read about France's priorities for the European Union

  • EU – FRENCH PRESIDENCY
    Sarkozy wants a solution to the Irish ‘No’ before December
    In a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the French presidency hoped to find a solution to the EU treaty impasse following the Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty by the end of the year.
  • EU – TREATIES
    What is the Lisbon Treaty anyway?
    All this fuss about a piece of paper. What’s the document actually about? Well, the future of the EU – or how to share power among 27 countries, and how much power the EU has to tell its members what to do.
  • EU - CITIZENSHIP
    A generation of Euro-enthusiasts
    An anthem, a flag, citizenship... The EU introduced symbols to develop a sense of belonging among Europeans. But it's the concrete rights like freedom of movement, that are helping unite citizens.
  • ANALYSIS
    The Irish ‘no’ and what comes next
    Last year, French President Nicolas Sarkozy re-negotiated a simplified treaty that would allow him to tackle big issues such as defence and immigration without having to worry about institutional questions. The Irish 'no' now contradicts the agenda.

Related links

  • WTO TALKS
    Sarkozy will not sign current WTO deal
    French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he would block a WTO agreement based on European negotiator Peter Mandelson's (photo) proposals for reduced tariffs and agricultural subsidies in Europe if other regions did not make more concessions.
  • SARKOZY - EU PRESIDENCY
    June 2009 limit for solution to the Irish 'No', says Sarkozy
    On the eve of France's six-month EU presidency, President Nicolas Sarkozy pointed to "errors" in the way Europe had been built, while stressing that a solution to the Irish 'no' must be found before the European elections. (Report: N. Germain)
  • RUSSIA - EU
    Russia and EU begin fresh cooperation talks
    Russia and the EU met in the eastern region of Siberia to talk about a proposed and long-overdue cooperation pact including trade and security ahead of an initial meeting to be held in Brussels on July 4. (Report: R.Tompsett)
  • UK - EUROPE
    British court rejects legal bid concerning EU treaty
    Britain's High Court rejected a lawsuit on Wednesday that sought to block the country's approval of an EU reform treaty.
  • EUROPE - COMMENT
    EU pushes its own 'Small Business Act'
    Brussels is proposing a special fiscal regime for small and medium-sized businesses. Such businesses make up 99% of European companies and amount to being the largest employer in the continent. (Analysis: C. Vanier)
  • EU - FISHING
    EU upholds ban on bluefin tuna fishing
    Despite angry protests by the French government, the EU's fishery chief refused to soften his stance on banning bluefin tuna trawling across the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, suggesting France and Italy had gone over their quota limits.
  • CUBA - EUROPEAN UNION
    EU lifts sanctions on Cuba
    By officially lifting all economic sanctions on Cuba, the EU hopes to encourage democracy on the island in the post-Fidel Castro era. The decision has prompted criticism from the US and exiled Cuban dissidents.
  • IRAN - EU
    EU set to impose new sanctions on Iran
    In a move to tighten measures against Iran, EU nations agreed on new sanctions over Tehran's nuclear programme. The sanctions include banning the country's large commercial bank, Bank Melli, from operating in Europe.
  • EU - VENEZUELA
    EU's Solana brands Chavez oil threat 'disproportionate'
    Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's threat to cut oil exports to EU countries if they enforce tough new immigration rules is "absolutely disproportionate," EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Friday. (Report: Y. Royer)
  • FRANCE - LISBON TREATY
    EU treaty decision to be postponed
    French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the Lisbon Treaty's failure would halt EU enlargement. EU leaders are due to postpone a decision on the treaty to mid-October.
  • LISBON TREATY
    Czech Republic: will not stand in way of EU
    On the heels of his parliament's equivocation about the treaty, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said on Thursday that his country will not put the brakes on the ratification process of the EU's Lisbon treaty.
  • SLOVAKIA - EUROPEAN UNION
    EU backs Slovakia to join eurozone
    EU leaders have allowed Slovakia to adopt the Euro currency in January 2009, based on the European Commission and ECB report that the nation has met the economic guidelines for joining the EU.
  • IMMIGRATION - EU
    EU adopts controversial immigration rules
    The European Parliament adopted new rules allowing the detention of illegal immigrants for up to 18 months despite strong criticism from immigrant rights groups, including the UN's top human rights official.
  • EU - LISBON TREATY
    Barroso congratulates UK on passing EU treaty
    European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso congratulated the UK for becoming the first nation to pass the Lisbon treaty after it was rejected by the Irish in a referendum. (Report: N. Germain)
  • IRELAND - EUROPE
    Irish 'no': your reactions
    France24.com's visitors reacted enthusiastically to the rejection of the Lisbon treaty by Irish voters. Many expressed their agreement with Irish voters.

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