Neutrals such as Ireland and Finland are worried about their role in plans to field an EU rapid reaction force with 60,000 soldiers. A November conference on troop numbers will be a key fixture of the French presidency, as will a Balkan summit and initiatives to reinforce links with the Mediterranean. Portugal was last at the helm. France will chair nearly 200 meetings including an informal summit in Biarritz in October and one at Nice in December. Lenotre, France's biggest delicatessen chain, has been commissioned to provide gourmet catering at both summits.
Presidencies manage the business of the European council.
They convene meetings, set the agenda, draft compromises and call votes. France has designed its own cubist- inspired logo in the form of a red, white and blue face combining the colours of the national flag with the 12 golden stars of Europe.