The presidency of the Council of the European Union is held by each member state in turn for a period of six months. During this time, the presidency is the “face and voice” of the European Union, speaking on behalf of all member states. The order of rotation for the presidency has been established for the period 2005 to 2020.
The first half of 2007, is being presided by Germany, which in turn will be followed by Portugal on 1 July and Slovenia on 1 January 2008.
The tasks of the presidency, among other things, are those of:
• Organising and chairing all meetings of the European Council, the Council of the European Union and its preparatory committees and working groups,
• Representing the council in its dealings with other EU institutions and bodies, such as the European Commission and the European Parliament,
• Representing the European Union in international organisations and in relations with countries outside the European Union.
German, Portuguese and Slovenian presidencies for the first time drafted an 18-month programme that will cover the period January 2007 to June 2008. This “trio programme” is designed to increase continuity in the council’s work.
The main themes of the programme are the continuation of the EU reform and constitutional process, the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs, and the further completion of the common area of freedom, security and justice.
Germany has drawn up a work programme for the federal government during the German EU presidency. This programme not only provides an overview of the many themes and projects to be dealt with during the presidency but also supplies information about Germany’s specific presidency priorities.
This gives concrete shape to the 18-month programme drawn up jointly by Germany and the subsequent presidencies. It builds on the work of the Finnish presidency and takes account of the commission’s strategic work programme for 2007.
The initiative taken by the three states is very important because it will provide much-needed continuity.
The 18-month programme in brief
The three presidencies attach particular priority to the reform process of the EU. The German presidency will present a report to the European Council during the first half of 2007, based on extensive consultations with the member states. This report should contain an assessment of the state of discussion with regard to the Constitutional Treaty and explore possible future developments.
Following the recent enlargement, work will focus on consolidating the basis of the existing 27 member states by ensuring the full integration of Bulgaria and Romania into the union’s structures and work for all of the new member states to become part of the Schengen area and the eurozone.
The three presidencies will make every effort in improving the framework conditions for European businesses, in particular SMEs. The three presidencies are determined to make every effort to further promote consumers’ interests, to guarantee a high level of consumer protection and to strengthen consumer confidence. They will continue to promote financial and economic policies oriented towards growth and stability.
Further developing the European social model, promoting equal opportunities and a European policy of gender mainstreaming, as well as improving education and training systems, will be key objectives. Promoting research, knowledge and innovation is the key to stimulating growth, competitiveness and creating jobs.
The three presidencies will pay particular attention to the development of an integrated maritime policy, which aims at enhancing positive synergies between the various policy fields concerned.
The protection of the environment will be another priority concern. The three presidencies will dedicate considerable effort towards developing an EU position on a balanced and fair post-2012 regime in line with the EU objective to limit the temperature increase to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
A particular priority during this period will be asylum and immigration policy. Apart from the strengthening of cooperation between asylum services and the evaluation of the first phase of asylum legislation, the three presidencies will implement a global approach to migration.
The strengthening of transatlantic relations and with other strategic partners such as Japan, China, India and ASEAN also lists high on the agenda.
The 18-month programme gives further stability to the European Union since further continuity is being planned. This guarantees the setting of long-term goals, which are also the most rewarding especially when the aims are to promote peace, development and solidarity.
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David Casa is a Nationalist MEP