25/04/2019 (Agence Europe) – French President Emmanuel Macron placed climate and migration policy at the heart of his European action on Thursday 25 April, in an address to the French nation in response to the anger of the ‘yellow vest’ movement. Announcing the creation of an “Ecological Defence Council” at the national level, he advocated “a minimum carbon price, a carbon tax at borders and a more ambitious ‘green finance’”. Rebuilding migration policy will be his “second major European battle”. He called for a Europe that “holds its borders”, a reform of the right of asylum - a duty that requires “taking charge” to fight abuses - and increased cooperation for Africa's development. “Even if it means having a Schengen area [of free movement] with fewer States”, he warned. (MB)