Paris, 10/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - The French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, in presenting, on Tuesday afternoon, to the French National Assembly the programme of the upcoming French Presidency of the EU Council, said that the adoption (at the Nice summit) of a European social agenda containing actions over a five year period will be "the first priority." Among the other priorities, Mr. Jospin cited the strengthening of the role of the Euro 11 and the co-ordination of economic policies as well as the continuation of tax harmonisation. Mr. Jospin also recalled that it is during the French Presidency that the "passing of final structures" of the Foreign and Security Policy will have to be confirmed, while, with regard to enlargement, he said that "it is out of question" to delay the historic process, but that "it is also not a question of rushing the stages."
The French Minister for European Affairs Pierre Moscovici presented the programme of the French Presidency, on Wednesday afternoon, to the European Parliament's Socialist group, by developing in particular the institutional aspects and the "citizens priorities." EUROPE will return to the issue