France is one of the founding members of European integration. The French comprise 13.1 per cent of the total EU population, and the capital of the country is Paris. The official language is French, and the currency is the euro.
France is a semi-presidential republic, and its territory consists of 18 administrative regions. One of the three official seats of the European institutions is in France, in the city of Strasbourg.
The French community boasts of a long history of being a vital contributor towards European integration, beginning with its ties with the ECSC in 1951, which later dissolved into the EC and then the EU.
France regards the EU as a vehicle to promote democracy, human rights, and equality. The country has helped in creating a more integrated European foreign, defence, and security policy. France is also one among the very few countries in the EU that have boldly advocated the need to extend and exercise the EU’s powers on a global platform, that is, on non- EU nations.
However, France’s relationship with the European Union is also characterized by many ups and downs. It has often been criticized for opposing some of the EU’s integration efforts. During the 2005 referendum for example, France even voted against framing a European constitution. Also, the country’s defence policies are often at variance with those of the EU. Despite all this, France plays a significant role in the EU and has the power to change or set the direction of any European project.
France holds 74 seats in the European Parliament and has borne the presidency of the Council 13 times between 1959 and 2008. France has been a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.
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