France considers it necessary to strengthen the strategic independence of the European Union (EU) in key areas of politics and economics. This is stated in the memorandum of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the republic published following the results of six months of the French presidency in the EU, Early Bulletins reports.
“The European Union needs to strengthen its strategic independence in the areas of critical raw materials, semiconductors, health care and food. This new policy of the union, which will strengthen its place in the world, will be at the center of Europe’s efforts in the coming years,” the document says.
The memorandum, in particular, notes that “the European Union will work to create a mechanism for joint purchases of gas by the EU countries,” which will strengthen the independence of the community in the energy sector.
One of the most important achievements of the semi-annual presidency is the French-initiated European directive on an adequate minimum wage in the EU. “This new legislation will improve the working and living conditions of European citizens,” the authors of the memorandum believe. “This program will establish joint principles and criteria for an acceptable level of minimum wage, as well as promote the development of the institution of collective bargaining.”
In addition, according to the French Foreign Ministry, the implementation of this directive will become an effective tool for convergence and “will help to avoid wage competition between the EU countries.”
