Mont Blanc party greets EU dawn
Climbers from across the EU welcome in the French presidency of Europe from its highest summit.
A party of climbers from across the EU has sent a message of solidarity from its highest peak – Mont Blanc.
Slovenian Sport Minister Magdalena Sverc, who was among the group, said: “I am very proud to be on the roof of Europe to transmit the presidency of the European Union to France.”
Slovenia has held the role for the past six months. The climb was organised by the ministries of ecology and sport to highlight sustainable development.
By coincidence another party of climbers ascended on the same day to place a picture of French-Columbian hostage Ingrid Betancourt next to a banner of the European Union. Ms Betancourt, a former presidential candidate, was kidnapped by the Columbian rebel group Farc in 2002.
In an interview to mark the start of the presidency President Sarkozy said that something was not right with the European Union. This was backed up by the announcement of the Polish President Lech Kaczynski that the country would not ratify the Lisbon Treaty following Ireland’s ‘no’ vote in its referendum.
Sarkozy said the EU had to address voters’ day to day concerns and added he would work for a Europe-wide cut in VAT on restaurant bills and for a ceiling on oil VAT to help consumers cope with soaring crude prices.
France has defined four priorities over the coming six months: immigration, defence, energy and the environment and agriculture. One of its most high-profile projects is the launch of a new Union for the Mediterranean.
The union will bring together European countries with states from the Mediterranean rim including Israel and its Arab neighbours, to develop cooperation.
Sarkozy's proposal on the oil tax has received a cool reception from EU leaders, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel arguing that cutting the VAT would do nothing to encourage a reduction in consumption.
The European Commission agreed to consider the proposals and Sarkozy is due to present a report in October.
Sarkozy also said he wanted to give tax breaks to encourage the green economy, from construction of energy-efficient houses to buying cars that are less polluting.
On the first day of the French EU presidency, Sarkozy and Prime Minister François Fillon are to hold working meetings with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
A ceremony is to be held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris later today.
A formal handover ceremony of the EU presidency from Slovenia to France was held on Monday, with Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel telling foreign minister Bernard Kouchner that the union was "in rather good shape."
"You say it's in good shape," Kouchner said, adding: "Let's rather say it is in average shape."
Photo: Mont Blanc credit Flickr/µµ
