The design created and engraved by Yves Beaujard marked the beginning of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union by France.
[1] In October 2007, the President of the Republic Nicolas Sarkozy asked La Poste to organize a competition at the end of whom he would choose the new definitive stamp design of France.
Fifty-eight artists who recently designed stamps for the French postal service were invited to send their project between 26 October and 16 November 2007.
La Poste's president, Jean-Paul Bailly officially presented the stamp design in Paris, on 29 January 2008.
[4] After a first day sale at the Paris Salon du timbre stamp show in June 2008, the first thirteen values were nationwide issued in gummed version and self-adhesive for the three main rates, on 1 July 2008, the first day of the six month Presidency of the Council of the European Union by France.