Brussels, 20/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - The French EU Council presidency during the second half of 2008 should allow confirmation that France is “back in Europe” and demonstrate Paris' ability to give the European project “significant impetus”, said Jean-Pierre Jouyet, French Secretary of State for European Affairs, speaking in Paris on Wednesday 19 September. France's turn at the head of the EU will be essentially marked by two things: - preparations for entry into force of the EU amending treaty, scheduled for 1 January 2009. On one hand, it will ensure that ratification procedures for the new treaty are completed in time. France hopes, moreover, to set an example for the other member states as “one of the first countries to ratify the new treaty”, Jouyet said. On the other hand, implementation of the new provisions of the treaty should be prepared: for example, the stable European Union presidency and the setting in place of the new EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy as well as the European external action service; - the Common Agricultural Policy Health Check and preparation of budgetary review and EU policies for the post 2013 period. As far as CAP adjustment is concerned, the Commission is expected to put forward its proposals in May 2008, the aim being to reach an agreement by the end of the year, under French presidency. The Commission is expected to put forward its ideas regarding review of the budgetary framework and Union policies for the post-2013 period by the end of 2008/early 2009. A first consultation document on this was put forward by the Commission last week (EUROPE 9500).
The future French EU presidency plans to play an active role in reflection on the future of Europe, mainly within the “committee of wisemen” that the European Council will entrust to reflect upon Europe in the run-up to 2020-2030 (it would seem that this idea, recently launched by Nicolas Sarkozy, and already supported by Germany and the Commission, is winning support from other capitals also). At the technical level, French priorities are: immigration, energy, the environment and Defence Europe.
France, moreover, plans to “promote the idea and spirit of Europe with concrete projects and experience”, Jouyet explained. “We all welcome the Erasmus exchange programme but its advantages are limited to just a few. Why not extend this programme to every age group, not only within academia but also within professions and associations so that a real 'Generation Europe' can emerge?” Another “very concrete” project cited by the French secretary of state for European affairs was civilian crisis management to coordinate European means to combat natural disasters, such as forest fires. The setting in place of an EU-wide “kidnapping alarm system” could also be studied, Jouyet said. “Special attention” will also be given to subjects such as integration on the labour market and the fight against exclusion, he said.
When it comes to external relations, “the idea”, he said, “is to use our presidency to advantage in order to speed up Europe's emergence as a world player in globalisation. A global approach without our main partners will be sought, including migration, the environment and intellectual property”. Development financing and the fight against poverty will also be key directions taken by the French EU presidency, Jouyet pointed out, adding that there would also be a “European cultural season”. During the first half of 2008, President Sarkozy and Prime Minister François Fillon will visit all capitals of the EU. A “secretariat general of the French European Union presidency” will be set up in Paris and the French Permanent Representation with the European Union will be strengthened. French government ministers will meet in seminar on 16-17 November to develop priorities in the various political fields. (hb)