Brussels, 29/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - The French Presidency of the EU Council, after a very intense half year, adopted a declaration in which it makes a summary assessment of the principal results obtained on its three priorities, namely "institutions adapted to enlargement of the Union", "progress in economic and social Europe", and "a Europe closer to citizens". This statement is as follows (unofficial translation):
"The French Presidency of the EU ends on 31 December 2000 and will hand over the Chair to Sweden. The French Presidency brought to a successful conclusion, in accordance with the mandate it received from the European Council, the intergovernmental conference on reform of the institutions, which paves the way to enlargement of the Union. The development of a political Europe, becoming a full player in the international arena, also involved assertion of its security and defence dimension. The French Presidency thus contributed to preparing the setting into place of appropriate political and military structures.
Reinforcement of the European social model, combining economic performance and social cohesion, was a priority of our Presidency. The agreement attained on a social agenda for the next five years contributes thereto. Likewise, greater coordination of economic and tax policies, notably in the "Euro Group", will make it possible to benefit fully from the strengths of the euro.
Lastly, the French Presidency made a point of moving forward Community action on subjects of concern to European citizens, notably relating to food safety and safety at sea".