| Post: | French Presidency |
| Body: | the Council of the European Union |
| Insignia: | Council of the EU and European Council.svg |
| Department: | Council of the European Union |
| Website: | https://presidence-francaise.consilium.europa.eu |
| Footnotes Title: | Presidency trio |
| Footnotes: | |
France held the presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2022. The presidency was the first of three presidencies making up a presidency trio, followed by the presidency of the Czech Republic and that of Sweden.
The initial plans for the presidency included addressing the following areas: (1) civic engagement by youths, (2) defence and security, (3) environmental concerns, (4) migration reform, (5) reevaluation of the economy, (6) relations with Africa, and (7) regulation of online services.
Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine two months into the French presidency. Two weeks later, the Versailles declaration was made in response, in which leaders of the European Union outlined plans to increase the union's energy security, boost its military defences, and build a stronger economy together. The declaration also reaffirmed the union's support of Ukraine.
Georgina Wright of Institut Montaigne commented that the presidency was generally considered a success, though some criticized the ambitions of the presidency, and others found issue with statements that French president Emmanuel Macron made regarding the Russian invasion.