Friday, July 10, 2009

-

Sarkozy calls for a 'strong, independent' EU

Thursday 01 January 2009

In his televised New Year's address, French President Nicolas Sarkozy stressed the continuing need for a "strong, independent" Europe. He expressed plans to head to the Middle East Monday to discuss the violence in Gaza.

Thursday 01 January 2009

By   (video)

AFP - French President Nicolas Sarkozy stressed the need for a "strong, independent" European Union in his televised New Year's address on Wednesday, in the final hours of France's presidency of the EU.
   
"In a period of crisis that the world has not seen for some time, I tried to change Europe," Sarkozy said.
   
"For a long time, I have had the belief that Europe should not suffer but act and protect," he said.
   
The French president pointed to the EU's responses to the financial crisis, the Russia-Georgia conflict and an agreement on climate change as evidence that "the world needs a strong, independent and imaginative Europe."
   
Sarkozy said Wednesday the French initiative to push for a summit between the G-20 heads of state and government had been essential to coordinate a common response to the global economic crisis.
   
France ends its sixth-month presidency of the European Union at midnight Wednesday, handing over to the Czech Republic.
 


-

 

Be the first to react.

    News Briefs
    Weather
    Currently
    • New York
      Scattered clouds. Mild.
      21°C
    • Rio de Janeiro
      Clear. Mild.
      23°C
    • London
      Refreshingly cool.
      16°C
    • Paris
      Clear. Mild.
      17°C
    • Moscow
      Passing clouds. Mild.
      18°C
    • Istanbul
      Passing clouds. Warm.
      27°C
    • Mumbai / Bombay
      Passing clouds. Warm.
      26°C
    • Beijing
      Fog. Mild.
      22°C
    • Tokyo
      Broken clouds. Warm.
      27°C
    • Shanghai
      Sunny. Warm.
      27°C
    • Sydney
      Scattered clouds. Cool.
      10°C
    • Johannesburg
      Clear. Cool.
      9°C