On 1 January 2022, France will assume – for the 13th time – the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), at a time when the EU and its member states face multiple challenges in such areas as health, climate and environment, democracy and, security in an increasingly unstable world. The French Presidency of the Council will be built around three key words: recovery, power, and belonging. On the legislative front, France will take forward a number of key dossiers, not least in the areas of digital sector regulation, economic recovery, sovereignty, global tax reform and climate. As one of the key driving forces behind the Conference on the Future of Europe, and greater involvement of citizens, Paris will be in the driving seat on the debate on the future of Europe as the Conference comes to a conclusion during the French Presidency. The Presidency will also prioritise issues regarding the environment and the European Green Deal, while continuing the fight against Covid-19, promoting a Europe fit for the digital era, and supporting the building of a more autonomous security and defence capability, with the convening of a European Summit on Defence.
Given the many priorities and challenges ahead, can Paris deliver on its ambitions? Ambassador Philippe Léglise-Costa, will set out the priorities of the Presidency and take part in a Q&A session chaired by EPC Director of Studies, Janis A. Emmanouilidis. The briefing will be held in French (presentation of priorities) and English (Q&A session).