Brussels, 21/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - Jean-Pierre Jouyet, French secretary of state for European affairs, presented the three priorities of his mandate on Monday 21 May at the Competitiveness Council in Brussels. These priorities are as follows: “getting Europe out of the institutional breakdown” by making its institutions “more efficient and democratic”; “meeting the challenges” of economic globalisation by way of a “stronger Europe” that is able to defend its own interests through “carrying out a policy offensive” in areas such as “industry, research or Galileo”, but also by being “better armed to protect the victims of the consequences of globalisation”; “preparing the French presidency” for the second half of 2008. At an international level, France will fight for a “well balanced” Europe that is both open but which defends its interests, explained the secretary of state.
What will the attitude of Paris be on the Turkish question? Mr Jouyet would only indicate in this connection that the position of the new president of the French Republic was already known and that Mr Sarkozy is against Turkey's accession to the European Union. He pointed out that “there are deadlines to meet and we will be working to meet them”, but refused to provide any further information on the attitude France would adopt when the EU had to take a decision about opening three new chapters in negotiations.
Asked about future relations between France and the Commission, the secretary of state said that it is “important that the Commission plays a facilitator role vis-à-vis member states”. He also underlined the “good relations” between Mr Sarkozy and José Manuel Barroso, the president of the Commission. The two men will be meeting on Wednesday 23 May in Brussels (see article below). (mb)