Czech Republic to take over the EU presidency in January

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-31-2008 09:02

The Czech Republic will take over the EU six-month rotating presidency from France on January 1st. The hand over arrives at a time when the bloc is struggling to address the economic crisis, revive a stalled reform treaty, and overcome cool ties with Russia.

Czech Republic's Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek addresses  a news conference on the first day of a EU summit at the  European Council headquarters.File Photo(Thierry Roge/Reuters)

The French Foreign Ministry says that France has the support of the Czech Republic to call a ministerial meeting. The ministers will discuss linking EU contributions with other international efforts, particularly the United Nations.

Czech Prime Minister, Mirek Topolanek, and his deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs, Alexander Vondra, will have to provide solid leadership. Top priorities will include the Lisbon institutional reform treaty that stalled in June this year when Ireland voted to reject the referendum.

Editor:Du Xiaodan