euro|topics - France at the helm

Main focus of Tuesday, July 1, 2008

France at the helm

France takes over the EU Council presidency from Slovenia today. Europe has high expectations of French President Nicolas Sarkozy: in the next six months his task is to lead Europe out of the crisis caused by the rejection of the EU Reform Treaty.

Le Figaro - France

The daily Le Figaro sees dark times ahead for the French EU Council presidency: "For the next half a year Paris will take on the difficult mission of piloting the European squadron. But it looks like we are in for heavy flak. ... The first shocks came from the high petrol and food prices and the Irish No to the Treaty of Lisbon. In such circumstances one asks where the French Council presidency should focus its efforts and what goals it can really achieve. ... Three criteria will define the success of the French presidency, which will be marked more by earnestness than flamboyancy: maintaining the cohesion of the 27 member states, preserving their momentum and preparing the way for the Czech Council presidency." (30/06/2008)

Mladá fronta DNES - Czech Republic

France is beginning its EU presidency with great ambitions, writes the Prague correspondent for the French daily Le Monde: "This is the first presidency during which Europe's leading politicians are to meet no less than ten times. Sarkozy is determined to show that France is back in Europe - a new engine propelling European integration forwards. ... All this will not be easy after Ireland's No to Lisbon, particularly at a time when the prevailing mood among Europeans is bad. Europeans are demanding concrete steps in those areas that are most painful. This is why Sarkozy, prompted among other things by the rise in food and energy prices, wants to put climate and energy issues as well as agricultural policy at the top of the agenda." (01/07/2008)

La Vanguardia - Spain

The Spanish daily La Vanguardia sees great challenges ahead for the French EU presidency: "The French presidency's approach to solving the crisis triggered by the Irish No consists mainly in pushing forward the process of ratification no matter what. To do this it must convince the Czech Republic to shed its doubts and at the same time prevent Dublin from feeling isolated while it makes its own decisions, which are expected to culminate in holding a new referendum as soon as possible. ... To sum up, the coming six months will be decisive for the European Union, which is not only losing influence on the international stage but also among its own citizens - a situation that is much more serious and requires even stronger efforts." (01/07/2008)

Etelä-Saimaa - Finland

The daily Etelä-Saimaa adopts a critical stance towards France's EU presidency: "France has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union. This will give President Nicolas Sarkozy a lot of publicity, but it also requires leadership qualities because of Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon treaty in its referendum. ... These are demanding times for diplomacy. Many see Sarkozy as the wrong person for the task in hand. ... One of the greatest challenges for the future is defining cooperation between the EU and Russia. Can a genuine partnership evolve between the two? ... Shared values are sometimes worlds apart." (01/07/2008)

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung - Germany

For the conservative Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Nicolas Sarkozy cuts a fine leadership figure for Europe: "In view of the forced pause regarding the Treaty of Lisbon brought on by the Irish referendum, the EU may well need a 'president' of Nicolas Sarkozy's mettle. Certainly, the role of courteous mediator does not suit the most dynamic, indefatigable and unpredictable of Europe's heads of state. ... Yet Sarkozy sees the Treaty of Lisbon in part as his own work, which is why he will do his utmost to save it. ... Sarkozy's zest for action in European affairs is augmented by his dire need of a success to show the people back home. For his plunge in the opinion polls is not over yet. The French are still in for painful times as a result of the ongoing reforms. Sarkozy consequently needs to chalk up successes on the European front. And the EU, for its part, can turn Sarkozy's energy to its own advantage." (01/07/2008)

» To the complete press review of Tuesday, July 1, 2008

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