Baghdad France assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union for six months with an ambitious program for a strong and sovereign Europe.

Paris will hand over the presidency of the Union in the second half of the year to the Czech Republic.

In a move symbolizing this move, the Eiffel Tower and the Elysee Palace were lit in European blue.

Over the next six months, France will have a great deal of influence to move forward some issues and reach settlements among the member states, even though the process is disciplined and calls for impartiality and cunning.

The Council of the European Union represents the interests of the 27 member states before the European Commission and Parliament, and the quarterly presidency calls for ministerial meetings, sets the agenda and leads negotiations

Source: National Iraqi News Agency