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Sarkozy calls for major EU change Sarkozy calls for major EU change
(10 minutes later)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for a profound change to the way Europe is being built, on the eve of France taking on the EU presidency. French President Nicolas Sarkozy called for a profound change to the way Europe is being built, as France took on the EU presidency.
Speaking on French TV, Mr Sarkozy said there had been "errors" in the way Europe was set up and that its citizens were losing faith in the project.Speaking on French TV, Mr Sarkozy said there had been "errors" in the way Europe was set up and that its citizens were losing faith in the project.
France has an ambitious agenda for its six months at the helm that includes immigration, defence and agriculture.France has an ambitious agenda for its six months at the helm that includes immigration, defence and agriculture.
Paris formally takes over the rotating presidency from Slovenia on Tuesday. Paris formally took over the rotating presidency from Slovenia on Tuesday.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner started the process with a handover ceremony in Nova Gorica, southern Slovenia.French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner started the process with a handover ceremony in Nova Gorica, southern Slovenia.
On Monday evening, the Eiffel Tower was lit in blue with gold stars, symbolising the EU colours.On Monday evening, the Eiffel Tower was lit in blue with gold stars, symbolising the EU colours.
Speaking on France 3, Mr Sarkozy said: "Something isn't right. Something isn't right at all."Speaking on France 3, Mr Sarkozy said: "Something isn't right. Something isn't right at all."
He added: "There have been errors in the way Europe has been built. We must therefore profoundly change our way of building Europe."He added: "There have been errors in the way Europe has been built. We must therefore profoundly change our way of building Europe."
France is not facing the positive outlook it had hoped for at the start of its EU presidency Can French flair beat EU blues?France set for lively EU presidencyFrance is not facing the positive outlook it had hoped for at the start of its EU presidency Can French flair beat EU blues?France set for lively EU presidency
He said concerned citizens in Europe were now "asking themselves whether, in the end, they will be better protected by national authorities than European ones".He said concerned citizens in Europe were now "asking themselves whether, in the end, they will be better protected by national authorities than European ones".
Correspondents say the French president's long list of "priorities" may prove unachievable.Correspondents say the French president's long list of "priorities" may prove unachievable.
Mr Sarkozy's real priority will be dealing with the aftermath of Ireland's referendum rejection of the EU's Lisbon reform treaty, says the BBC EU correspondent Mark Mardell.Mr Sarkozy's real priority will be dealing with the aftermath of Ireland's referendum rejection of the EU's Lisbon reform treaty, says the BBC EU correspondent Mark Mardell.
'Average shape''Average shape'
The treaty was meant to streamline EU decision-making following enlargement of the bloc to 27 members.The treaty was meant to streamline EU decision-making following enlargement of the bloc to 27 members.
It has to be ratified by each one of those members - so the Irish rejection has cast a shadow over all other EU projects.It has to be ratified by each one of those members - so the Irish rejection has cast a shadow over all other EU projects.
Bernard Kouchner is aware France faces a difficult six monthsBernard Kouchner is aware France faces a difficult six months
Mr Sarkozy, who will travel to Dublin on 11 July to hear Irish voters' concerns first-hand, said: "The first priority is to pinpoint the problem with the Irish voters and to continue to allow other countries to be ratified, especially our Czech friends."Mr Sarkozy, who will travel to Dublin on 11 July to hear Irish voters' concerns first-hand, said: "The first priority is to pinpoint the problem with the Irish voters and to continue to allow other countries to be ratified, especially our Czech friends."
Asked if Ireland should vote again, he said: "I don't want to say it like that because it would give the impression of forcing their hand."Asked if Ireland should vote again, he said: "I don't want to say it like that because it would give the impression of forcing their hand."
France has defined four priorities for its EU stint - immigration, defence, the environment and agriculture.
The French foreign minister reflected the mood at the handover ceremony in Nova Gorica.The French foreign minister reflected the mood at the handover ceremony in Nova Gorica.
His Slovenian counterpart, Dimitrij Rupel, said France was inheriting the EU in "rather good shape".His Slovenian counterpart, Dimitrij Rupel, said France was inheriting the EU in "rather good shape".
"Well, yes, let's rather say it is in average shape," Mr Kouchner retorted."Well, yes, let's rather say it is in average shape," Mr Kouchner retorted.
In an indication of one of the issues likely to loom over France's presidency, French lorry drivers blocked roads around Paris on Monday in protest at rising fuel prices.In an indication of one of the issues likely to loom over France's presidency, French lorry drivers blocked roads around Paris on Monday in protest at rising fuel prices.
They are demanding government compensation - though Mr Sarkozy's suggestion that the EU reduce VAT on fuel received little support from other members.They are demanding government compensation - though Mr Sarkozy's suggestion that the EU reduce VAT on fuel received little support from other members.
A ceremony celebrating the start of France's EU stint is to be held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Tuesday afternoon.A ceremony celebrating the start of France's EU stint is to be held at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Tuesday afternoon.