The Czech Republic has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union from France. Despite its Eurosceptic president, the country will hold the EU leadership for six months. Slovakia becomes the latest country to adopt the euro, as the single currency celebrates its tenth birthday. French President Nicolas Sarkozy assured Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek his "total support" in a telephone call on Wednesday, ahead of France handing over the presidency to the Czech Republic on Thursday.Tensions between the two countries came under strain earlier in 2008 when French government aides suggested Sarkozy could retain some influence after France's six-month term expired."In a period of crisis that the world has not seen for some time, I tried to change Europe," Sarkozy said in his annual New Year's Eve message, claiming that the last six months showed the need for a "strong, independent" Europe.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy assured Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek his "total support" in a telephone call on Wednesday, ahead of France handing over the presidency to the Czech Republic on Thursday.
Tensions between the two countries came under strain earlier in 2008 when French government aides suggested Sarkozy could retain some influence after France's six-month term expired.
"In a period of crisis that the world has not seen for some time, I tried to change Europe," Sarkozy said in his annual New Year's Eve message, claiming that the last six months showed the need for a "strong, independent" Europe.
As France gives up the presidency of the European Union, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that he will visit the Middle East next Monday and Tuesday. He will meet Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Paris today, the day after Israel rejected calls fora truce in its assault on the Gaza Strip. On Monday Sarkozy will travel to Egypt, where he will meet President Hosni Mubarak, then to the West Bank, to see Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, and finally dine with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. On Tuesday he will visit Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. In a New Year's message, the President said it was France's duty to "seek a path towards peace" in the region. Israel on Wednesday rejected calls for a truce, saying that any ceasefire must guarantee an end to rocket attacks from Gaza. Livni said that Hamas, which controls the area, would use the truce to gain "a better position for the next attack".
On Monday Sarkozy will travel to Egypt, where he will meet President Hosni Mubarak, then to the West Bank, to see Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, and finally dine with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
On Tuesday he will visit Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
In a New Year's message, the President said it was France's duty to "seek a path towards peace" in the region.
Israel on Wednesday rejected calls for a truce, saying that any ceasefire must guarantee an end to rocket attacks from Gaza. Livni said that Hamas, which controls the area, would use the truce to gain "a better position for the next attack".
Independent - Robert fisk - The rotten state of Egypt is too powerless and corrupt to act
To admit that Egypt can't even open its sovereign border without permission from Washington tells you all you need to know about the powerlessness of the satraps that run the Middle East for us. Open the Rafah gate - or break off relations with Israel - and Egypt's economic foundations crumble. Any Arab leader who took that kind of step will find that the West's economic and military support is withdrawn. Without subventions, Egypt is bankrupt.
Open the Rafah gate - or break off relations with Israel - and Egypt's economic foundations crumble. Any Arab leader who took that kind of step will find that the West's economic and military support is withdrawn. Without subventions, Egypt is bankrupt.
He was holidaying in Brazil, jogging along endless beaches with Mrs Sarkozy.
