| The French presidential election drew a lot of ink this | | | | management has always been a sensitive topic within |
| year not only in France but also abroad. The | | | | the community. |
| international press portrayed Mr. SARKOZY as being | | | | Turkey |
| "the actor of a renewal for France, the carrier of | | | | The membership negotiations have been partially |
| changes which would not be without consequence for | | | | frozen since December 2006. The French president |
| Europe and the rest of the World". Even if the new | | | | opposes Turkey's entry into the European Union, |
| French president was warmly congratulated by his | | | | preferring to introduce a perspective of "privileged |
| European peers, they are still expectant of him on | | | | partnership" into the debate. This idea provokes strong |
| important matters such as the European constitution, | | | | controversy amongst the member states, some of |
| Turkey's European membership, the energy policy, etc... | | | | which are in favour of Turkey's membership within the |
| The European constitution | | | | coming 10 to 15 years. |
| After France's and the Nederland's rejection of the | | | | The Agriculture budget |
| Constitution two years ago, the European Union | | | | In principle, the Common Agricultural Policy must be the |
| Member states want to address the agenda and sign | | | | object of a reshuffle by 2009. The European |
| a new text by June 2009 at the latest. Nicolas | | | | agricultural reform essentially depends on the Doha |
| Sarkozy proposes the adoption of a "simplified treaty" | | | | Cycle negotiations within the World Trade Organisation. |
| so that Europe can rapidly provide itself with the | | | | To summarise, the emerging countries require a |
| means to work efficiently with the 27 Member States. | | | | lowering of customs rights and the end of the |
| Nobody opposes this idea, yet deep differences exist. | | | | subsidised agriculture in the wealthy countries. The |
| Great Britain, Poland and the Czech Republic are in | | | | richer countries demand the opening of an industrial |
| favour of this project, only wishing for no large-scale | | | | and service market by emerging countries. For the |
| institutional reforms. On the other hand, the 18 signatory | | | | moment, no middle ground has been found and |
| countries of the constitution strongly desire to preserve | | | | negotiations are at a stand still. On that matter, the |
| its substance. | | | | French President is strongly holding his ground and |
| Energy policy | | | | wishes for a more protective Europe "at the service |
| During the European Council last March, the European | | | | of growth and employment". |
| Union defined a set of objectives to limit greenhouse | | | | In his discourse of 6 May 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy |
| gas emissions. They now have to be translated into a | | | | expressed his commitment to European construction |
| set of laws. Nicolas Sarkozy is in favour of the | | | | and underlined his vision of a protective Europe " |
| development of renewable energies. He also wishes | | | | against the threats contained by world changes". He |
| to renew the French nuclear fleet which partly | | | | also called for the creation of a Mediterranean Union |
| guarantees the country's energy autonomy. Nuclear | | | | which would be the link between Europe and Africa. |