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.

Ambassador Pierre Vimont of France		Margaret Warner, Senior Correspondent, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
Ambassador Vimont speaking with WFPG Board Treasurer Dawn Calabia		WFPG President Patricia Ellis
WFPG Board Secretary Donna Constantinople		WFPG Board Treasurer Dawn Calabia
WFPG Program at the Residence of the Ambassador of France to the US		Ambassador Vimont with WFPG Board Members
Margaret Warner, Ambassador Vimont, and Patricia Ellis		WFPG Reception at the Residence of the Ambassador of France to the US
Margaret Warner speaking with WFPG Board Vice Chair Gail Leftwich Kitch		Patricia Ellis, Ambassador Vimont, and Dawn Calabia
WFPG Board member Susan Rappaport with her husband, Don Rappaport, and Caroline Croft		Ambassador Vimont speaking with WFPG Members and Guests
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

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