FRANCE – EU : Sarkozy calls for a ‘strong, independent’ EU
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AFP – French President Nicolas Sarkozy stressed the need for a strong, independent European Union in his televised New Year’s address on Wednesday, in the final hours of France’s presidency of the EU.
In a period of crisis that the world has not seen for some time, I tried to change Europe, Sarkozy said.
For a long time, I have had the belief that Europe should not suffer but act and protect, he said.
Sarkozy said Wednesday the French initiative to push for a summit between the G-20 heads of state and government had been essential to coordinate a common response to the global economic crisis. .
EU – Nicolas Sarkozy
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France ends its sixth-month presidency of the European Union at midnight Wednesday, handing over to the Czech Republic