The presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) is responsible for the functioning of the Council of the EU, and rotates between the member states of the European Union every six months

The presidency is not made up of a single president but rather the task is undertaken by a national government. Three successive Council presidencies, known as presidency trios, cooperate for an 18-month period to provide additional continuity by sharing common political programmes. The current (2011–2012) trio consists of Poland (which took up the position on 1 July, 2011), Denmark (which took over in January 2012) and Cyprus (that will take over in July 2012). Being currently at the helm of the presidency of the Council of the EU since this week, Denmark has proposed a number of key objectives it will be working on during its presidency.

The presidency has two main tasks during its six-month tenure. The first is to plan and chair the meetings in the Council of the EU and underlying bodies. It is the responsibility of the presidency to move the work of the Council forward and create results, to ensure cooperation among member states and formulate compromise proposals that can gather support. To do this, the presidency must act in its capacity of an honest and neutral broker. Secondly, the presidency represents the Council in its dealings with the other EU institutions, not least the Commission and the European Parliament. This entails, among other things, that the presidency is the representative of the 27 member states in negotiations with the Commission and the European Parliament.

The full programme for the Danish presidency will be presented during this month. The programme will elaborate further what the main priorities of the presidency will entail. The four fundamental priorities for the Danish presidency will be contributing to: 

• A responsible Europe

• A dynamic Europe

• A green Europe

• A safe Europe.

The Danish presidency will work towards ensuring a responsible European economy. The presidency believes the main priority for Europe should be to overcome the current crisis, prevent new crises from arising in the future and focus on strengthening growth and job creation in the time ahead. For this to happen, all EU member states must implement the necessary measures to consolidate public finances and carry out the necessary reforms. This is a precondition for restoring market confidence in the European economies, for getting out of the crisis, and for embarking on the path to growth. The objective of enhancing fiscal discipline is well in line with the Danish presidency’s priority of a responsible Europe. The presidency has already adopted reinforced economic governance, which will strengthen the common ground rules (known as the ‘six pack’). The Danish presidency will now focus on implementing the new and stronger ground rules for the benefit of public finances, growth and job creation in Europe.

In order to get out of the crisis, it is also crucial to create revitalised growth and employment in Europe. The Single Market is one of the greatest EU successes. The presidency will try and create a more dynamic European economy by further developing the unexploited potential of the Single Market through efforts regarding the 12 key priorities of the Single Market Act. The Single Market is, among other things, to be brought into the digital age by making it easier and safer to trade online and by lowering roaming prices across borders.

The aim is also to promote innovative companies and ensure greener and more sustainable growth. By strengthening the research and innovation efforts, private entities must also contribute to growth and employment. The presidency will also work towards opening new trade opportunities for European companies, both through the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and through bilateral trade agreements with Japan, India, Canada and Tunisia, among other countries.

The presidency will, furthermore, set a proactive agenda for promoting green and sustainable growth. The aim and objective is to create growth without increased resource and energy consumption. In recent years, the EU has developed an ambitious energy and climate policy which means that the EU is taking the lead at global level. According to the presidency, Europe must make an effort to maintain this position through new initiatives. A key objective will be to adopt measures improving resource and energy efficiency in Europe. The presidency will work for a focused seventh Environmental Action Programme and an ambitious European energy policy up to 2050 with improved energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy.

Lastly, the presidency will work and try to make Europe safer. In a globalised world, we must cooperate in Europe if we are to ensure the security of European citizens and solve cross-border problems. Denmark will work to ensure a more effective fight against international crime and terrorism as well as a well-functioning Common European Asylum System and stronger Schengen cooperation, thereby achieving more secure control at the EU’s external borders.

With regards to the priorities, Danish Europe Minister Nicolai Wammen stated: “We look forward to the next six months, during which Denmark holds the key to the machine room of the EU. Now our long preparations will be translated into activities and results.”

Meusac is organising a public dialogue about the Danish presidency on 19 January, at 3pm. The Danish Ambassador for Malta, Birger Riis-Jørgensen, the Chairperson of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee (FAEAC) of the House of Representatives (HoR), Francis Zammit Dimech, and also the Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of the FAEAC of the HoR, George Vella, will be taking part in the debate. For more details, one may contact Meusac on 2200-3300 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Mauro Miceli is Executive

(EU Policy and Legislation), Meusac