Charles Michel has been the President of the European Council since 1 December 2019. Here are some interesting figures that reflect Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will come to a close on 31 December. The corona pandemic has clearly demonstrated the importance of cooperation and coordination within the EU – also, and especially, in the area of health policy. Three successive presidencies are known as presidency trios. The Council meets in ten different configurations, depending on the subject being discussed. of the Council of the European Union in the Fields of Education, Research and Innovation Together for Europe’s recovery July – December 2020. Economic Affairs Minister Peter Altmaier therefore engaged in close dialogue with many of his colleagues from EU Member States and with representatives of the European institutions throughout Germany’s Presidency, as he did in the run-up to it. The press office holds press events, offers audiovisual coverage of major events and provides facilities for journalists. Council configurations. However, as the work load of the Council grew and the membership increased, the lack of coordination between each successive six-month presidency hindered the development of long-term priorities for the EU. This is the case for Cyprus. [3] The presidency is currently (as of January 2021) held by Portugal. A Council Presidency can only be successful if it is based on close cooperation with all European partners. This ensures more consistency in comparison to a usual single six-month presidency and each three includes a new member state. Prior to that, he was Prime Minister of Belgium for 5 years. © Bundesregierung/Plambeck. Rotating presidency. Logos of the presidency of the Council of the European Union‎ (2 C, … Estonia was scheduled to take over the UK's six-month slot instead. For example, the Agriculture Council is composed of the national ministers responsible for Agriculture.[4]. Contact. Some Presidents of the Council of Ministers are the heads of government. The six founding countries are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The Treaty of Lisbon reduced the importance of the Presidency significantly by officially separating the European Council from the Council of the European Union. Term: December 2019 - October 2024. President Michel reiterated the EU's interest in developing a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship; he also shared his deep worries about the latest developments in Turkey regarding the rule of law and respect of fundamental rights. So, for instance, the Minister of Agriculture for the state holding the presidency chairs the Agriculture council. Climate change is transforming our world, and we have to tackle the enormous challenge it poses and rethink mobility. Federal Minister Andreas Scheuer: We have to make mobility in Europe more modern and more innovative. The priorities of Croatia's presidency are driven by its motto: "A strong Europe in a world of challenges". The Portuguese début in these rotating presidencies took place in 1992, between January and June, under the motto “Towards the European Union”. latest news. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, has his own private office, the Cabinet, which supports his activities. The ‘Trio Presidency’ To ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council, successive presidencies work together in groups of three, called ‘trios’ or the ‘Trio Presidency’. Slovenia held the presidency for the first time in the first half of 2008; its next turn will be in the second half of 2021. Germany takes over the rotating presidency of the EU, for the last time under Chancellor Merkel. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the "president of the European Union". Reasonator; PetScan; Scholia; Statistics; OpenStreetMap; Locator tool; Search depicted; Subcategories. The country holding the Presidency leads the Council and acts as the driving force behind the EU’s legislative and political work. Finland, as next in line, took Germany's place. The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. EU Member States hold the presidency of the Council of the EU (one of the main EU institutions, in addition to the European Commission and the European Parliament) according to a rotation system determined in advance. Until 2009, the Presidency had assumed political responsibility in all areas of European integration and it played a vital role in brokering high-level political decisions. The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. It rotates among the member states of the EU every six months. Certain cookies are used to obtain aggregated statistics about website visits to help us constantly improve the site and better serve your needs. It consists of the heads of state or government of the member states, together with its President and the President of the Commission. Appointed by: national leaders (heads of state or government of EU countries), with the approval of the European Parliament. We will use this data to improve your experience on our website. This category has the following 21 subcategories, out of 21 total. STATE OF THE UNION 2020 LETTER OF INTENT 2 Brussels, 16 September 2020 Dear President Sassoli, Dear Chancellor Merkel, Almost 500 days ago, the people of Europe made their voice heard loud and clear. The opportunities include: Asterisk: Head of government is also head of state. The Programme is the document that details the main priorities and lines of action of Portugal's Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) (1 January – 30 June 2021). The Council of the EU is the institution representing the member states' governments. 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In order to rectify the lack of coordination, the idea of trio presidencies was put forward where groups of three successive presidencies cooperated on a common political program. To get more information about these cookies, how and why we use them and how you can change your settings, check our cookies policy page. Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union begins on 1 January and ends on 30 June 2020. Read more about the role of the European Council The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbours, which culminated in the Second World War. Through the European Parliament elections, they gave the EU institutions an … Follow the latest developments on policy-making and on legislation under negotiation. The presidency is not an individual, but rather the position is held by a national government. On 1 July 2020, Germany took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) from Croatia. The Council meets in various formations where its composition depends on the topic discussed. … We use cookies in order to ensure that you can get the best browsing experience possible on the Council website. The Council of the EU meets in different configurations depending on the topic discussed. The priorities for Finland’s Presidency are to strengthen common values and the rule of law, to make the EU more competitive and socially inclusive, to strengthen the EU’s position as a global leader in climate action and to protect the security of citizens comprehensively. On 6 April, President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara to discuss EU-Turkey relations. The President of the Council of Ministers or sometimes Chairman (in English, sometimes called informally Prime Minister) is the most senior member of the cabinet in the executive branch of government in some countries. President of the European Council; official website: Authority control Q308905 VIAF ID: 135123039 Library of Congress authority ID: nb2005019575. The German presidency began the second cycle of presidencies, after the system was introduced in 2007.[2]. essential role for the European Union – the General Secretariat is always here to assist and support you. With your permission, we will use AT internet cookies to produce aggregated, anonymous data about our visitors' browsing and behaviour on our website. Our President is a member of the European Council in her own right and generally, normally, when she goes to foreign countries, she is treated in exactly the same way as the President … The press office is the first point of contact for all media requests. Each three successive presidencies cooperate on a "triple-shared presidency" work together over an 18-month period to accomplish a common agenda by the current president simply continuing the work of the previous "lead-president" after the end of his/her term. Biography of Charles Michel, President of … Presidency topics in the field of justice and consumer protection “In these times of crisis, it is more important than ever to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.” Christine Lambrecht, Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection. You can get in contact to arrange a visit, ask questions about the work of both institutions, and request a document, among other services. This institution comprises the college of heads of state or government of EU member states as well as the president of the European Commission, and provides political direction to the European Union (EU). The Council of the European Union is where the governments of the EU member states are represented by government ministers of the member states. Meeting with President of the Presidential Council Mohamed Yunus al-Menfi, Meeting with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Al-Dabaiba and with Minister for Foreign Affairs Najla Mangoush, Working lunch hosted by President Kais Saied, Roundtable with representatives from IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN Women, Meeting with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Joint press conference with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, About the President of the European Council, Read more about the role of the European Council, President Michel in Turkey: "Our engagement will be progressive, proportional and reversible", "Tunisia has chosen democracy, pluralism and respect for individual freedom," says President Michel, "The EU stands by the Libyan people and their new leadership," says President Michel in Tripoli, Remarks by President Charles Michel after his meeting in Ankara with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Remarks by President Charles Michel after his meeting in Tripoli with Prime Minister Al-Dabaiba and Foreign Minister Mangoush, Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel, Informal meeting of heads of state or government, Porto, Video conference of the members of the European Council, Video conference of the members of the Euro Summit, Tripartite Social Summit video conference, The role of the President of the European Council, Biography of Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Cabinet of the President of the European Council. You can also take a look at Council publications, access the archives and search for legislation that the Council negotiates together with the European Parliament. This role includes working out compromises capable of resolving difficulties. High Level Forum Africa-Europe 2018: “Taking cooperation to the digital age”, Vienna, 17.12./18.12.2018. Committees and working parties handle the preparatory work on files before they are discussed at Council meetings. STATE OF THE UNION 2020 Letter of Intent to President David Maria Sassoli and to Chancellor Angela Merkel . The presidency of the Council of the European Union is responsible for the functioning … The General Secretariat of the Council is a body of staff responsible for assisting the European Council and the Council of the EU. The European Council. Find out more about documents and publications. The European Council is now the summit conference of heads of state or government of the EU Member States. Prior to that, he was Prime Minister of Belgium for 5 years. The Trio Presidency has agreed an 18-month joint programme setting broad policy objectives. The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every 6 months. The leaders of the EU and China met on 14 September, chaired by European Council President Michel and Chinese President Xi - together with Chancellor Merkel, representing Germany's Presidency of … Source: BMVI. The headquarters of the Council of the EU and the European Council are located in Brussels (Belgium). Germany was due to succeed Austria in 2006 but stepped aside as general elections were scheduled for that period. Charles Michel has been the President of the European Council since 1 December 2019. The presidency works in close coordination with the President of the European Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Read more about the role of the European Council The Programme was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 17 December 2020. Countries currently using the title. Negotiates and adopts EU laws, together with the European Parliament, based on proposals from the European The first of these ‘European summits’ took place in Paris in 1961 and they have become more frequent since 1969. It consists of the heads of state or government of the member states, together with its President and the President of the Commission. Germany Angela Merkel's last Council of the European Union presidency — what to expect. Until 30 June 2021, Portugal will be presiding over the Council of the European Union for the fourth time. European Commission president – Ursula von der Leyen. President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba; … When the council was established, its work was minimal and the presidency rotated between each of the then six members every six months. Also known informally as the EU Council, it is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies. Press officers speak 'off the record' about the Council's activities. Press conference: Informal Meeting of EU Health Ministers Informal Summit of Heads of State or Government, Salzburg, 19.09./20.09.2018. This allows new member states to hold the presidency sooner and helps old member states pass their experience to the new members. 1. It helps organise and ensure the coherence of the Council's work and the implementation of its 18-month programme. The Council of the EU and the European Council work on a wide range of issues affecting the interests of the EU and its citizens. Schließen. He also ensures the external representation of the EU at his level on issues concerning its common foreign and security policy. In the Paris European summit of February 1974, it was decided that these meetings of Heads of State or Government should henceforth be held on a regular basis under the name of ‘European Council’, which would be able to adopt a general approach to the problems of European inte… It consists of the heads of state or government of the member states, together with its President and the President of the Commission. Council of the European Union 2020. Council of the EU. The primary responsibility of the Presidency is to organise and chair all meetings of the council, apart from the Foreign Affairs Council which is chaired by the High Representative. As of 1950, the European Coal and Steel Community begins to unite European countries economically and politically in order to secure lasting peace. Eventually the German elections took place in 2005 due to a loss of confidence vote, but the re-arrangement remained. Source: Thomas Köhler / photothek. The role of the rotating Council Presidency includes: Holding the rotating Council Presidency includes both advantages and disadvantages for member states; Other cookies are used to boost performance and guarantee security of the website. The European Council brings together EU leaders at least four times a year. #eu2020hr The presidency is currently, as of January 2021, held by Portugal. The 2018 Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a glance. The president of the European Council is the person presiding over and driving forward the work of the European Council, as well as a principal representative of the European Union (EU) on the world stage. The presidency's function is to chair meetings of the council, determine its agendas, set a work programme and facilitate dialogue both at Council meetings and with other EU institutions. Simultaneously it split the foreign affairs Council configuration from the General Affairs configuration and created the position of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The European Council. During this 6-month period, the presidency chairs meetings at all levels in the Council, ensuring the continuity of the EU's work in the Council. Prime Minister Sanna Marin: The European Union on the eve of a new era. Programme of Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the Fields of Education, Research and Innovation July–December 2020 I. The President chairs European Council meetings and drives forward its work. It will preside over the first 6 months of the new 18-month Trio Presidency together with Portugal and Slovenia. Article 16(9) of the Treaty on European Union provides: The Presidency of Council configurations, other than that of Foreign Affairs, shall be held by Member State representatives in the Council on the basis of equal rotation, in accordance with the conditions established in accordance with Article 236 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. brokering inter-institutional compromise: coordinating national policies and brokering compromise between member states in the council ("confessional system"), management and administration of the council, external and internal representation, member states have the possibility to show their negotiating skills, as "honest brokers", thus gaining influence and prestige, member states gain a privileged access to information: at the end of their term, they know member states' preferences better than anyone else, the Council programme may enable member states to focus Council discussion on issues of particular national/regional interest (for example Finland and the, lack of administrative capacities and experience, especially for small and new member states; the concept of, expenses in time and money, needed to support the administrative machine, not being able to push through their own interests, as the role of Council Presidency is seen as an impartial instance; member states trying to push for initiatives of their own national interest are likely to see them failing in the medium run (for example the French 2008 Presidency and the, This page was last edited on 15 February 2021, at 16:15. Germany held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union between 1 July - 31 December 2020 and launched several initiatives for excellent education, research and innovation, thus contributing to a resilient, sovereign and sustainable Europe. The Brandenburg Gate is illuminated on the occasion of the start of Germany's EU Council Presidency in 2020. video | 2:13 The presidency of the Council of the European Union[1] is responsible for the functioning of the Council of the European Union, is the co-legislator of the EU legislature alongside the European Parliament. The current trio (2020-2021) is made up of Germany (July–December 2020), Portugal (January–June 2021) and Slovenia (July–December 2021). This was implemented in 2007 and formally laid down in the EU treaties in 2009 by the Treaty of Lisbon. The EU remains committed to the relaunch of the Cyprus settlement talks and as an active observer, the EU fully supports the UN-led process and we look forward to the informal meeting that will be held in a few weeks time, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. Sweden took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2009. Council and European Council documents are made available through the public register, in accordance with EU rules on transparency. The presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates among the EU member states every six months. The presidency of each Member State lasts six months. On 1 July 2020, the Federal Republic of Germany assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). Member states holding the presidency work together in groups of three, called 'trios'. After the United Kingdom's Brexit vote in 2016 and its subsequent relinquishment of its scheduled presidency in the Council of the European Union which was due to take place from July to December 2017, the rotation of presidencies was brought six months forward. On July 1 2020, Germany assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the 13th time. Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union January 2018 | EN | HANDBOOK OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 7