Publications

The French presidency benefits from a unique window of opportunity to demonstrate that if no country questions the principles of free market within the Union, it cannot be done at the expense of the political dimension of the defense of common interests. Whether Europe follows the tracks of economic liberalism or chooses a more political option, it now belongs to France to show that these two dimensions are compatible. After all, were they not at the heart of the political message of Sarkozy when he was presidential candidate one year ago? This widened presidency gives him the opportunity to reaffirm the reality of his ambition… at the European scale.

Whether it has a mini or a normal treaty, Europe is setting off again – thanks to the voluntarist impetus of the French President. The major liberalism trend that has dominated the last 20 years seems to temporarily stop: negotiations at the WTO are at a standstill and further widening of the Union is out of the question. This presidency clearly shows that there are at least five key issues at stake: immigration, energy, environment, agriculture, and defense. Should be considered also, all the other issues that fuel exchanges between governments and public services – among which one should count the reflections on the future of the politics of cohesion and common institutions – and that are lead by France. The French presidency will most probably implement the notion of « deepening » by showing that on such crucial issues agreements may be found.

These are some of the issues that the following papers tackle..."

- Réussir la présidence française de l'Union européenne, by Christian Lequesne

- Les projets de la présidence française de l’Union européenne dans le domaine de la cohésion territoriale, by Didier Michal

- L'"Union pour la Méditerannée", une des priorités de la présidence française de l'Union européenne, by Vladimir Tardy

- Quelle politique agricole pour l’Europe ?