In July 1995, during an official visit to the EP in Strasbourg, Jacques CHIRAC, President of the French Republic, faced a demonstration in front of EP building and a strong opposition among MEPs against decision taken by France to resume nuclear testing in Moruroa.

EU - France (T)

FONTAINE, Nicole (EPP-DE, FR)

demonstration (THS)

CHIRAC, Jacques (FR)

HÄNSCH, Klaus (PSE, DE)

nuclear test

Formal sitting on the occasion of the visit of Jacques CHIRAC, President of the French Republic, to the European Parliament in Strasbourg: arrival, extracts from the address and protest against nuclear tests resumed by France

Arrival of Jacques CHIRAC, President of the French Republic and President in office of the Council, to the Strasbourg airport, welcome by Nicole FONTAINE (EPP, FR) (1 shot)

<p align="left">Protests against the nuclear tests in front of the European Parliament (8 shots)</p>

Exterior shot of the "Palais de l'Europe" (1 shot)

Arrival of Jacques CHIRAC, President of the French Republic and President in office of the Council, to the European Parliament, welcome by Klaus HANSCH, EP President, Protests against the nuclear tests (3 shots)

Members holding signs of protest and umbrellas against the nuclear tests in the chamber (3 shots)

SOUNDBITE (French) Jacques CHIRAC, President-in-Office of the Council: "Mr President, Mr President of the Commission &mdash; it is a pleasure to greet you &mdash; ladies and gentlemen, I would first like to thank you for your kind words of welcome and tell you that it is..." (Murmurs, exclamations, heckling from the left of the hemicycle) (3 shots)

<p align="left">SOUNDBITE (German) Klaus HANSCH, EP President: "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to ask Members on all sides of the house to listen our guest here in Parliament (Applauses from the right). You can make your views clear during the debate, as is the parliament custom. (Applauses). Ladies and gentlemen, in a parliament, opinions are expressed during the debate!" (3 shots)</p>

SOUNDBITE (French) Jacques CHIRAC, President-in-Office of the Council. "Mr President, as I was saying, it is a real honour and pleasure today to address your Strasbourg assembly &mdash; which I know and respect &mdash; and to present the balance sheet for the French presidency of the Council of the European Union. As you were good enough to say, I have sat in this Parliament myself. I know its dynamism, and I also know its power, which has been strengthened over the years, and I know that the Members of the European Parliament take their responsibilities very seriously." (3 shots)