EU: France completes ambitious presidency marked by war in Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron handed over the reins of the rotating EU presidency to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on June 30, 2022. AP - Christophe Ena

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Emmanuel Macron symbolically handed over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Thursday, wishing him " 

".

France is completing six months of a very ambitious mandate marked by the war in Ukraine.

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This was one of Emmanuel Macron's priorities: "

 ".

With the return of war on the continent, the 27 have rarely been so united.

The Europeans have notably released tens of millions of euros for Ukraine and adopted a series of six-pronged sanctions against Moscow. 

At the time of the balance sheet, the Elysée advances a total of 130 agreements found in the last 6 months.

We can cite the texts on the supervision of the commercial practices of the digital giants or that on a minimum wage for all the countries of the Union.

One of the other French objectives concerned the energy transition and the climate package.

The 27 have made progress on the idea of ​​a carbon tax at the borders of the EU.

And on the commitment to reduce their CO2 emissions BY 55% by 2030.

But with an overambitious program, some projects remain unfinished, such as the reform of the Schengen area wanted by Emmanuel Macron or the 15% tax on the profits of multinationals blocked by the Hungarian veto.

The French head of state clarified that the " 

 " of the French presidency, which ends Thursday at midnight, were devoted to "

" the agreement between Bulgaria and North Macedonia to allow the opening of negotiations for the latter country's accession to the EU.

Following Paris, Prague has promised to continue to put aid to Ukraine at the center of its presidency, from the refugee crisis to the reconstruction of the country at war, but also energy security. 

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• France

• European Union

• Ukraine