Starting July 1, France takes up the EU Presidency for the next six months. According to BBC, French President Nicolas Sarkozy admitted that his plans got complicated after the EU Reform Treaty was rejected by the Irish in a referendum. The French leader added that his main priority is to convince all EU member countries to pass this treaty.

In Paris, Foreign minister Bernard Kouchner lighted up the Eiffel Tour to mark the start of the French Presidency of the EU. For two months, the tour will be lighted in blue while 12 golden stars of the EU flag will shine over it, France Presse informs.