Slovenia hands over EU presidency to France

Slovenia hands over EU presidency to France WATCH VIDEO Source: CCTV.com | 07-01-2008 12:39 Slovenia Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel has handed over the European Union Presidency to French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. The ceremony took place in Paris on Monday. Kouchner takes over the post amid soaring oil prices, lagging overseas sales and critical EU policy reform. France's most recognizable monument, the Eiffel Tower, has been lit up to mark the start of France's six-month EU presidency. Kouchner says he hopes to follow the Slovenian example on energy and climate change policy. He also says his primary goal is to bring the EU closer to the European people. Under Slovenian leadership, EU policy reform faced a major set-back when the referendum on the Lisbon treaty was rejected by Irish voters in June. The Lisbon treaty aims to streamline decision-making in the 27-nation bloc. European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner has stressed the need to unite all 27 EU member countries behind one policy. She says the commission will do its best to assist the new President in reaching that goal.

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YouTube | July 1, 2008

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