French Bastille Day celebrations get EU revamp

President Nicolas Sarkozy has given the French National Day celebrations a European makeover, inviting EU defence forces to join the traditional parade along the Champs-Elysées.

EU and French flags flew side by side, as troops from all EU member states for the first time joined the traditional défilés on 14 July 2007 to commemorate the storming of the Bastille in 1789, which marked the beginning of the French Revolution.

Since his election in May, Sarkozy is keen to demonstrate his commitment to the EU and show that “France is back in Europe”. At the Bastille Day celebrations, the European hymn was played and the Schuman Declaration, which led to the European Community, was read out.

Referring to the EU’s 50th anniversary, the French president underlined that the national festivities were a European celebration too. He said: “It was a parade of armies but it is peace that we want to celebrate.”

Commission President José Manuel Barroso, European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Javier Solana and current EU President, Portuguese Prime Minister José Socrates and also took part in the celebrations.

Barroso welcomed the initiative and stated that this was not only a symbolic gesture, but also a strong message to France and the whole of Europe. He said that in a time of globalisation, it was “necessary to defend our interests and values together as Europeans”. Barroso further underlined that he did not see any contradiction between patriotism and “European spirit”.

Speaking to European defence ministers and French military representatives on the same day, Sarkozy renewed his push for a common EU defence. He said: “The basis for a European defence exists. We must make it grow.” He added: “I want Europe to be capable of ensuring its security autonomously.”

Sarkozy also broke with the tradition of holding a television address and interview reflecting on the state of the country, as well as the granting of mass amnesties to minor offenders.

Read more with Euractiv

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