Czech ambassador to EU criticises aspects of French presidency of bloc

The Czech ambassador to the EU has described the attitude of the French during their presidency as “sometimes excessively dominant”. Milena Vicenová told the Czech News Agency that French officials had occasionally used the tactic of submitting documents at the very last minute and only in French. However, she said she rated the French presidency generally positively, pointing out its success in bringing EU states to an agreement on a climate-energy package, and praising French officials’ “perfect use of time”. Ms Vicenova, who will be one of the major figures of the Czech presidency, said it could be difficult in some respects to follow an experienced player who has helmed the EU 12 times. Nevertheless, she said the Czech EU presidency could make a pleasant change.