Sarkozy: 'European defence a priority'
European defence will be a priority when France takes over the rotating EU presidency in the second half of this year, President Nicolas Sarkozy said today.
Mr Sarkozy, in his New Year’s message to French soldiers and veterans, said, “Today, Europe does not make all the efforts needed for the defence and protection of Europeans.”
Mr Sarkozy said France “could not be satisfied with this situation. That is why the consolidation of European defence capacities will be our priority as we preside over the European Union.”
Slovenia currently holds the presidency of the 25-nation EU, and France takes over on July 1.
