Global General

Sarkozy urges EU 'common strategy' on Libya

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-28 06:34

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy is seen in this still image taken from video as he appears on national television to speak on France's international policy, February 27, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

PARIS - European countries should adopt a "common strategy" on issues related to violence-wrecked Libya, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Sunday in an address on national television.

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The ongoing political crisis in Arab countries has negative consequences, such as uncontrollable immigration flows to the European continent, and rise of terrorism in the region, Sarkozy underlined in the speech, noting Europe could be the first victim.

"We have a duty to act with ambition ... That's why we asked the European Council to hold a meeting to make the Europe adopt a common strategy on Libyan crisis," the president said.

He called on Europe to adopt "new tools to promote education and training for the youth of the countries in south of Mediterranean" and "an economic and trade policy to promote growth of these young democracies."

He stressed that the multilateral partnership Union for the Mediterranean can play an important role in restoring stability in the region. The Union, founded at the initiative of France in 2008, encompasses 43 countries from Europe and the Mediterranean Basin.