France is gearing up for an efficient term at EUs helm - Watson

9.20.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 26th Jun 2008

Tuesday 1 July sees Nicolas Sarkozy's France take on the Presidency of the European Union. It will put them in the Chair of meetings of EU Ministers until the end of the year.

Local MEP Graham Watson - leader of the Liberal ALDE group told us that "France is gearing up for an efficient term at the helm of the EU with climate change, immigration, defence and agriculture high on the legislative agenda."

He went on to say, "however, presidencies are often blown off course by the unforeseen. France will inherit the explosive mix of rocketing fuel and food prices in the context of an on-going financial crisis. It is also tasked with charting the way ahead after the Irish "No" to the Lisbon Treaty".