Presidency of the Council of the European Union
On 1 July, Germany will take over Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Along with Portugal and Slovenia, it will form a trio which will head the Council over the next 18 months. The three countries have identified common issues and priorities they wish to address over this period. The German Cabinet has now approved the draft programme.
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Germany, Portugal and Slovenia form the next trio in the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Photo: Bundesregierung
Europe is to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic stronger, more equitable and more sustainable than it was before – that is the overarching goal of the trio, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia for the Council of the European Union.
On 1 July, Germany will take over the rotating six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This also marks the start of the next trio, comprising Germany, Portugal and Slovenia: Portugal will take over from Germany in January 2021, followed six months later by Slovenia. The three states will work together closely in a group of three, known as a trio.
Priorities of the trio
The programme responds to the key challenges facing the EU during the trio presidency. Specifically, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia see the following priorities for action:
- The COVID-19 pandemic and its socioeconomic consequences as well as improving European crisis management
- Negotiating the multiannual financial framework 2021 to 2027 along with the new recovery fund
- The future relationship of the EU with the United Kingdom
- Important political objectives of the Strategic Agenda 2019-2024 in the next 18 months (conference for the future, climate, competitiveness, digital economy, social affairs, Europe’s role in the world).
What happens now?
The General Affairs Council is expected to accept the final version of the programme on 16 June 2020. The programme applies for the entire duration of the trio, from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2021.