Paris: Under the slogan "Recovery, Power, Belonging," French President Emmanuel Macron presented France's presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).

Macron stated that France intends to advance toward "a Europe that is powerful in the world, fully sovereign, free in its choices, and in charge of its own destiny." France also intends to use its presidency to define strategic European sovereignty over the African continent and the Balkans with NATO and surrounding countries.

To restrict the movement of EU citizens and migrants, the Schengen area will be politically controlled by EU public institutions. A new European model of production, solidarity, and regulation is the second axis. "Europe must be able to keep up with technological innovation while also taking the environmental situation into account," Macron said. Macron stated that content control and digital accountability will enable the EU to become a digitalized continental force.

"We will also forward negotiations on the development of a European tool to combat imported deforestation," Macron said, referring to a ban on soya, cattle, palm oil, cocoa, and coffee imports into the European Union if they contribute to deforestation.

UN Assembly grants International Solar Alliance Observer Status

Blinken turns on the religious liberty blinders

China perpetrating genocide against Uyghurs