Ambassador Philippe Léglise-Costa

Ambassador Philippe Léglise-Costa
French Permanent Representation to the European Union

The Permanent Representation plays a central role in communications between Paris and Brussels, the conduct of negotiations within the bodies of the Council of the European Union and relations with the other institutions, in particular the European Parliament and the European Commission.

Mission: promote and defend French positions with European institutions, best inform the French authorities on the state of European issues

The Permanent Representation participates in Brussels in the development and conduct of all European Union policies: internal market, agriculture, fishing, consumption, tourism, transport, telecommunications, employment, industry, health, research, environment, education, external relations, budgetary and financial questions, justice and home affairs.

In this context, the advisers of the Permanent Representation express France’s positions in the bodies preparing the meetings of the Council of Ministers. The Permanent Representation assists members of the government during meetings of the Council of Ministers of the European Union as well as the President of the Republic and his team at the European Councils.

The work of the Council is prepared by the Permanent Representatives Committee ( Coreper ) which meets weekly. This committee also monitors and coordinates the work of committees and working groups made up of officials from the Member States who prepare technically the files which are submitted to Coreper and the Council.

The Permanent Representation is in contact with all the actors involved in the decision-making processes, it presents and explains the French positions to the members of the Commission, of the European Parliament and their services.

Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, it has worked closely with the European External Action Service headed by the High Representative, Mr. Josep Borrell and supports the rise of this service which must combine and integrate the culture of the Commission, of the General Secretariat of the Council and of the Member States to succeed in making a synthesis of the various European policies in their external dimension which will complement the action of the national diplomats.

Conversely, the Permanent Representation informs the French authorities daily about the state of European discussions on current issues.

The Permanent Representation is also in contact with all stakeholders interested in European issues: national parliamentarians, local authorities, representatives of companies, trade union organizations, associations and NGOs as well as with researchers, think tanks and the public at large ( students including ). It participates in public debate by being in close contact with journalists, by opening up to the general public on site and by its website (http://www.rpfrance.eu) and following the main debates of ideas on European issues. In compliance with competition rules, it informs French companies about European issues and the opportunities offered by Community programs.

It oversees the place of French and French in the European institutions.