EMBASSY SERIES
France's Presidency of the EU: A Conversation with Ambassador Pierre Vimont
Moderated by Margaret Warner, Senior Correspondent,
PBS's The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
Transcript | Photos

Washington, DC—On December 10, 2008, French Ambassador H.E. Pierre Vimont hosted an event at his residence in Washington, DC for WFPG members and friends. The event included a reception and program on “France’s Presidency of the EU” which was moderated by Margaret Warner, a Senior Correspondent for the Newshour with Jim Lehrer. In his overview, Ambassador Vimont spoke about the EU presidency rotation and how each country inherits issues and brings its own ideas to the presidency. France inherited the issue of climate, and brought the issues of immigration, European defense, and cooperation with Mediterranean neighbors. Yet, as he explained, the French presidency of the European Union focused on the three main challenges which were not anticipated: the Irish vote against the Lisbon Treaty, the Georgian crisis, and the global financial crisis. According to the Ambassador, “we hadn’t foreseen [these challenges] at all.” He also stressed the importance of the transatlantic partnership between the EU and the United States since today’s problems and challenges are of such a magnitude that they require working together.

In her interview with Ambassador Vimont, Margaret Warner questioned the Ambassador about anticipated changes in US-EU relations under President Obama, and how the US and Europe would be working together on pressing issues including Afghanistan, Iran, the Middle East peace process, the financial crisis, Russia, and Africa. On behalf of the European nations, the Ambassador expressed hope to see “America playing its role as a major leader” again. He pointed out the optimism and different way America is being perceived. He also spoke of ongoing US-European cooperation despite differences over Afghanistan and Iran, and of the important partnership between Europe and the US in the Middle East. In addition, Ambassador Vimont discussed the importance of working together on the financial crisis since the US and the EU are “facing more or less the same problems,” and commented on the impact of the crisis on the French and American economies. The Ambassador also spoke about the importance of cooperation on the issue of Russia and on bringing peace and stability to Africa.

 

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Ambassador Pierre Vimont of France


  Margaret Warner, Senior Correspondent,
The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

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Ambassador Vimont speaking with
WFPG Board Treasurer Dawn Calabia

  WFPG President Patricia Ellis


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WFPG Board Secretary Donna Constantinople

  WFPG Board Treasurer Dawn Calabia

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WFPG Program at the Residence of the
Ambassador of France to the US

  Ambassador Vimont with WFPG Board Members


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Margaret Warner, Ambassador Vimont, and Patricia Ellis


  WFPG Reception at the Residence of the
Ambassador of France to the US

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Margaret Warner speaking with WFPG Board
Vice Chair Gail Leftwich Kitch

  Patricia Ellis, Ambassador Vimont, and Dawn Calabia


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WFPG Board member Susan Rappaport with her husband,
Don Rappaport, and Caroline Croft

  Ambassador Vimont speaking with
WFPG Members and Guests

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Gail Leftwich Kitch, Ambassador Marie-France Pagnier of
the Permanent Mission of
France to the OAS, and Patricia Ellis

  WFPG Reception at the Residence of the
Ambassador of France to the US