Amb. Smessov: France has initial four priorities for six-month EU presidency

PanARMENIAN.Net - France's initial four priorities for the six-month Presidency - energy and climate change, immigration, defense, and a review of the EU's farm policy. A major "energy-climate package" will be presented by the end of 2008 and then considered during the EU Climate Conference in Copenhagen in 2009, France's Ambassador to Armenia Serge Smessov said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net



"France will also seek to promote nuclear energy as an important energy source to ensure diversification and security of supply. A key focus will be on the development of nuclear equipment safety and the issue of waste management," he said.



"France wants to make progress on a common European immigration policy during its presidency, with the sensitive issue of illegal immigration top of its list. The planned "immigration pact" would rely on three pillars: the refusal of 'en masse' regularizations, a harmonization of asylum policies and rules for the return of illegal immigrants. The pact will be submitted to the EU heads of state and governments in October with a purpose to encourage the migration policy."

According to him, amid highly important issues is the farm policy, which includes food independence, decrease of food expenditure inequality, sustainable development, ecology protection, high quality and safety.



As to European security and defense, he said, France doesn't possess means for participation in global processes but follows the principle of compatibility with NATO.



"Problems in Balkans, Middle East, Asia and Oceania will also be in focus. Besides, the Irish 'No' pushed the Lisbon Treaty at the very top of an already busy agenda. However, these priorities do not restrict attention to other international issues," the Ambassador resumed.

Full text of the interview