Recovery, strength and sense of belonging: Clément Beaune on French EU presidency priorities

The fast pace of EU decision-making during the Covid-19 outbreak showed that “Europe is more united, resilient and efficient than 10 years ago”. 

It is with these words that French Junior Minister of European Affairs Clément Beaune launched a series of dialogues analysing the French EU presidency’s priorities organised by Samman Law & Corporate Affairs in partnership with the FIPRA Network and the European American Chamber of Commerce (EACC).  

With France taking the helm of the EU Council from January 1st to June 30th, 2022, the presidency is likely to be a turning point for the EU with the Green Deal poised to deliver concrete actions while also coping with uncertainties thrown up by the ongoing pandemic. 

But France will also go through a crucial phase with the first half of 2022 coinciding with campaigning for the French general elections.

Minister Beaune was joined by BusinessEurope President Pierre Gattaz, FIPRA International Chairman Robert Madelin and Samman Law & Corporate Affairs Founding Partner Thaima Samman, who also moderated the panel.

If summarised in a tagline, the French EU presidency programme would be “recovery, strength and sense of belonging”, Minister Beaune said. 

He stated that the French EU presidency would deliver on President Emmanuel Macron’s commitments announced since his election in 2017. On top of the agenda is addressing the economic and social consequences of the pandemic, with a view to strengthen European social and health projects. 

Minister Beaune said it was important for European leaders to work together to provide opportunities for socio-economic mobility to younger generations in the EU to try and address the growing sense of disillusionment among certain sections of the general public. 

The French EU presidency would also continue to take concrete action to tackle climate change as per the recommendations outlined in the European Commission’s Fit for 55 Package launched mid-July.

Pierre Gattaz assumed his role at employers’ federation BusinessEurope in 2018, following five years as the head of French employers’ organization Medef. 

For Gattaz, EU policy must stand on the three main pillars of prosperity, people and planet. 

Businesses both contribute to and rely on all three pillars, he stated, adding, “To stay successful, this means producing growth, staying competitive, operating a smooth green and digital transition without losing the confidence of investors and of people equipped with the relevant skills.”

Gattaz told the panel that the French EU presidency would have to build an environment for European businesses where all these conditions are met. In that regard, some of the priorities of the French EU presidency may be reached by complying with existing international organisation rules (e.g., World Health Organization, World Trade Organization).

FIPRA International Chairman Robert Madelin said that the French presidency would have its work cut out in trying to adapt corporate governance to 21st century challenges.

“Steering the ship at the helm of the Council of the EU against the backdrop of the French general elections could very well create optimal conditions to innovate in EU decision-making processes,” Madelin said.

Minister Beaune said the Conference on the Future of Europe is on track to deliver a roadmap as to how EU institutions can better serve its citizens while paving the path for a cleaner, greener future.