Review: High-level reception with Permanent Representative of France to the EU

July 15, 2022

On 15 July 2022, the LSE AAB community had the privilege of being invited to a high-level reception at the French Permanent Representation to the EU by H.E. Mr Philippe Léglise-Costa, French Ambassador to the EU.

The Ambassador shared with us his assessment of the French presidency of the Council of the EU from January to June 2022, at a time when the EU faced unprecedented challenges. He noted that about 2,000 in-person meetings took place during the presidency to address various challenges.

Russia's war against Ukraine required many, many hours of work to rapidly prepare the EU response. Similarly to the Covid pandemic, the unforeseen crisis which required fast EU-level solutions pushed the Council to operate in a new form by also taking operational decisions on, e.g., concrete military and humanitarian aid to be given to Ukraine. This conflict also has led to greater EU unity and gave momentum to advance with enhancing the EU's strategic autonomy by, i.a., reducing energy dependence, increasing food security and defense capabilities.

France also managed to advance with other policy issues, notably the Fit for 55 package, as well as the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act – historic decisions to regulate the digital space. Several important agreements were also reached to ensure fairer trade practices, e.g., to regulate distortive foreign subsidies.

In the political field, the Conference on the Future of Europe concluded during the French presidency. The Ambassador emphasised that this was a unique exercise in participative democracy which will assist future reforms. The French proposal of establishing a wider European Political Community also looks likely to progress.

Maria Sotiriou, President of the LSE AAB, moderated the event and thanked the host for his hospitality. The event concluded with a networking reception.