EUROPEAN UNION AND TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS: ROTATING PRESIDENCIES OF FRANCE, CZECH REPUBLIC AND SWEDEN

The relationship between EU and US has always been strategic in case of both parties and this relationship takes different shapes during the different presidencies of the European Union. This situation composes a debate about the transatlantic relations of EU. For discussing the existing debate about relationship between EU and US, first it is crucial to analyze bilateral relations between them. In accordance with that to see the most recent differences of the relationship between EU and US, trio presidencies of French, Czech and Swedish are examined in case of transatlantic relations. The article investigates an answer to the question of whether EU presidencies give priority to their national interests or EU interests in their relations with other parties or not? In order to be able to find a concrete answer to this question, first the general bilateral relations of France, Czech Republic, and Sweden with US is analyzed. Then, the relationship of each of three countries, during their period of EU Presidency, with US is examined.