EU in the news

France has taken over the presidency of the European Union for the six months starting July 2008. French President Nicholas Sarkozy has plans to address issues concerning the Lisbon treaty and in this context, the president visited Dublin to hear Irish voters' pleas. France would also focus on issues concerning immigration, environment, agriculture and defense. The EU also played hast to a summit with the Mediterranean rim nations; The Union for Mediterranean nations was launched leaders of 43 nations and topping their priority list is the end of the Middle East conflict at Paris. At the summit, the French president welcomed the decisions of Israeli PM Ehud Olmert and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to seriously work towards achieving peace in the region. The EU according to recent reports has decided to withdraw aid to Bulgaria amounting to almost $1 billion in funds as the Bulgarian government has failed to take required action against corruption and the rising figures in organized crime in the country.