The Presidency was passionate about ensuring that Europe shouldered its responsibilities, and in August we started by negotiating the ceasefire, on 12 August, followed by a withdrawal agreement on 12 September. In the end, war was avoided, the retreat was started and, above all – thanks to all the Member States of the EU – Europe remained united.
L’obsession qui a été celle de la Présidence, c’est que l’Europe prenne ses responsabilités et, en ce mois d’août, nous avons d’abord négocié le cessez-le-feu, le 12 août, puis un accord de retrait, le 12 septembre.