Europe's pilot is in for heavy flak

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."

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