18/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - Under the title “French ambitions for the European Union”, the French minister for European Affairs, Catherine Colonna, states in Le Figaro of 17 January that she hopes 2006 will be a year of action for the European Union. She said “our priority is to use the European framework to the service of employment and economic development”, focusing on better economic governance at European level, more investment in research and innovation and a European energy policy. On the subject of institutions, she states that there is still a great need for renewal in the institutions of Europe and that France will take advantage of the first half year to come into line with its partners on improvements that can be made to the EU institutions, beginning with the existing treaty framework (see EUROPE 9106 for the ideas floated by President Chirac). Ms Colonna announces that a new interactive website will be launched in the spring this year to become a place of reference for all those who wish to gather information on or give their views on Europe. She went on to add: “This year also, we shall make 9 May a Day for Europe in all our countries, a true day of celebration and an occasion for debate. I shall work to this end”.