Germany has held the Council Presidency 12 times since becoming a founding member of the European Economic Community in 1957. On 1 July 2020, Germany took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) from Croatia. EU Council Presidency We assume responsibility for Europe in difficult times Together, In solidarity, Future-oriented. Presidency of the Council of the EU. The main purpose of the trios lies in ensuring that there is a smoother transition between presidencies and that the  continuity and effectiveness of the Council's work is enhanced over the long term. The official website of Germany's Presidency of the Council of the European Union (July through December 2020) The EU’s relationship with China, for example, will play an important role during the Council Presidency, which Germany has dovetailed closely with its two successors, Portugal and Slovenia, as a Trio Presidency. It consists of the heads of state or government of the member states, together with its President and the President of the Commission. 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). You can get in contact to arrange a visit, ask questions about the work of both institutions, and request a document, among other services. www.consilium.europa.eu HANDBOOK OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION RS 012/2018. National governments usually try to use the opportunity to play to their home audiences and hype their own importance by hosting grand events that lure international leaders to their countries. Negotiates and adopts EU laws, together with the European Parliament, based on proposals from the European What defines Europe and how do we want to live in Europe in the future? HOME.META_DESCRIPTION. To this end, each of the three member states draws up its own six-month programme. The presidency of the council rotates on a six-montlhy basis, offering each of the EU's 28 member states the opportunity to shape the EU's agenda. It helps organise and ensure the coherence of the Council's work and the implementation of its 18-month programme. ", Rakastan sinua, je t'aime, ti amo - "I love you" in Finnish, French and Italian. Chancellor Merkel after the special meeting of EU heads of state and government: Agreement not to recognise the results of the disputed presidential election in Belarus, The President of the Council, Charles Michel, will hold a video conference with the members of the European Council to discuss a response to the situation in Belarus, Tour d´Europe: The trail passes through 20 different countries, including 14 EU member states. Council configurations. #eu2020hr The EU home affairs ministers agree that the future development of Europol must be guided first and foremost by the needs of the law enforcement authorities of member states. Partnership with Africa is also to be deepened. Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth at the German Federal Foreign Office, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Handover of the Trio Presidency Declaration on Gender Equality, Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, Federal Research Minister Karliczek and EU Research Commissioner Gabriel report on the results of the Informal Meeting of EU Research Ministers, Video studio for the Informal Meeting of EU Research Ministers. Other cookies are used to boost performance and guarantee security of the website. ", 7 December marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Since 1 March 2016, Bärbel Kofler has been the Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance at the Federal Foreign Office, The Europa building in Brussels, the seat of the European Council and the Council of the EU, Small-scale coastal fisheries and vessels in particular would receive support from the new EMFAF, The Videoconference of Employment and Social Policy Ministers was chaired by both German ministers responsible for those respective policy areas: Federal Ministers Franziska Giffey and Hubertus Heil, Discussions focused on the working conditions and social protection of platform workers and the Commission’s Gender Equality Strategy, German Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection Christine Lambrecht chaired the videoconference, Germany’s Federal Minister of Justice Christine Lambrecht and EU justice ministers discussed the latest developments concerning the rule of law in European Union member states, German Minister of Health Jens Spahn led the videoconference of EU health ministers, The defining theme of the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union is the increased European cooperation to control the COVID-19 pandemic in the long term, Felix Klein, Federal Government Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight against Antisemitism, at the conference "Together against Anti-Semitism in Europe", which took place on 10 September under the auspices of the German Council Presidency, Foreign Minister Maas at the annual meeting of EU and ASEAN Foreign Ministers (Videoconference), German Federal Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz at the press conference following the Videoconference of EU Economics and Finance Ministers, In our series “Citytour”, we introduce the cities, towns and regions where the informal meetings are taking place, Part of the meeting was originally supposed to take place in the Eberbach Monastery, Minister of State Monika Grütters, Germany’s Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, led the virtual meeting, Discussions during Tuesday's two videoconferences will revolve around reviving the cultural and sporting sectors, both of which have been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Flags outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg: The new deal aims for a smarter, greener and better connected European Union, German Chancellor Angela Merkel during the virtual conference of the Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union (COSAC), German Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek: "We are firmly committed to our European values", Federal Minister for Youth Franziska Giffey: "Coronavirus is shaping young people’s course of life", Both of the videoconferences - one for EU ministers of education and the other for EU youth ministers - will focus on the future for European youth, The EU wants to better support and network research, Federal Minister of Education and Research, Anja Karliczek, at the press conference following the videoconference of Research Ministers, Germany’s Federal Minister for Research and Education, Anja Karliczek, chaired the virtual meeting, Since March, the EU and the UK have continued with regular rounds of negotiations, the difficulties ensuing from the COVID‑19 pandemic notwithstanding, Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Franziska Giffey, presents Germany's COVID-19 assistance programmes at the conference, Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office Michael Roth participated on Tuesday in negotiations on behalf of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, In clockwise order: the French delegate Minister of Industry Agnes Pannier-Runacher, Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič, the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier and the Italian Minister of Economic Development Stefano Patuanelli, Two participating duos in the "Europe talks" project, The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, chaired the Videoconference of EU Development Ministers, Germany in the EU: twelve EU Council Presidencies from 1958 to 2007, World Children's Day is a special date for the artwork of the German presidency of the Council of the EU - the young generation has a right to be heard, German Federal Minister for Women Franziska Giffey: "Protection of women from violence needs a European response", German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the other EU heads of state and government via videoconference, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier: "Defining key principles for the global space economy", German European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst floats above the earth, Federal Minister of Defence Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in the videoconference of EU defence ministers, EU defence ministers will be briefed on current affairs, among them the situation in Mali. Overview. The EU Council Presidency Translator was developed with the help of cutting-edge German and European technology and artificial intelligence systems. Know the full programme for the Portuguese Presidency. German Federal Minister for Finance Olaf Scholz: "It will give a strong boost to our economies and enable member states to shape a greener and more digital future for Europe’s citizens and businesses", Ludwig van Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" has been the European anthem for decades, Strengthening the circular economy: In the future, consumers will be able to have products repaired more easily, Environment Minister Svenja Schulze: "Our new EU target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 sets an example internationally", Germany is working for binding EU-wide biodiversity targets and specific measures to stop biodiversity loss. Lisbon would like to use its presidency of the EU Council to repair the transatlantic relationship as much as possible. The interior ministry's video studio for the Informal Meeting of Home Affairs Ministers in Berlin, Minister of State for Culture Monika Grütters with the Director-General of Deutsche Welle, Peter Limbourg, German Minister of Justice Christine Lambrecht during the informal meeting on 6 July, The studio for the Videoconference of EU Justice Ministers on July 6, Chancellor Angela Merkel thanks the federal states for their work in containing the COVID-19 pandemic, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is flying to the Slovenian capital Ljubljana for the launch of the Trio Presidency with Portugal and Slovenia, "We look forward to working with the European Commission," declared Chancellor Angela Merkel during the Press conference with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Chancellor Angela Merkel in the German Bundestag: Germany will work for economic and social recovery in Europe, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Croatian Foreign Minister Goran Grlić Radman during the symbolic handover of the EU Presidency to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Danisch-Icelandic conceptual artist Olafur Eliasson, Minister Altmaier presents his priorities for the German Council Presidency, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier, To celebrate the start of Germany's Presidency of the Council of the EU, an animation of the Presidency logo was projected on to the Brandenburg Gate, Find us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, The Programme for Germany's Presidency of the Council of the European Union is now available in German, English and French, The guiding principles of Germany's Presidency of the Council of the EU, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas before the start of the Cabinet meeting on the national programme for the German presidency of the Council of the European Union, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia will take over presidency of the EU Council one after another for six months each, An 18-month programme among three nations, The official calendar of Germany's Presidency of the Council of the EU is now online, In the German Bundestag, Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a government statement about the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which Germany will take over as of July, Goethe-Institut is launching five EU-wide projects, State Secretary Miguel Berger and Secretary-General Helga-Maria Schmid at the videoconference of State Secretaries and Secretaries-General of the Foreign Ministries of EU Member States, A girl discovers the digital playground in Earth Speakr, Earth Speakr - a participatory, European-wide artwork, Government spokesman Steffen Seibert presents the logo for the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 29 May in Berlin, Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. For more information, see our data privacy statement. It organises and chairs all Council meetings. Notice This publication is produced by the General Secretariat of the Council and is intended for information purposes only. It does not involve the responsibility of the EU institutions or the member … The press office holds press events, offers audiovisual coverage of major events and provides facilities for journalists. 1. The Council Presidency represents the Council of the European Union vis-à-vis other EU institutions and also, in some cases, on an international level. A live broadcast of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council began at 10.00, The current EU financial framework expires this year, President of the European Council Charles Michel, Hubertus Heil, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, A press conference with Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Hubertus Heil, will be streamed live at 13.00, Everything is prepared for the Informal Meeting of EU Health Ministers, Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth, Minister of State Michael Roth led the meeting, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Chancellor Angela Merkel at a press conference after the two leaders met in Berlin, Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze and State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth, The studio for the videoconference of the EU's environment ministers on 13 July, Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Chancellor Angela Merkel received Italian Prime Minister Guiseppe Conte at the German government's guest house at Schloss Meseberg, European Environmental Data Hackathon Code4Green, Press conference with German Federal Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz following the videoconference, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Peter Altmaier, and Commission Vice-President, Maroš Šefčovič, Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, is the first guest Chancellor Merkel had the pleasure of welcoming after the loosening of coronavirus restrictions. The translation platform was developed by Tilde. Due to the pandemic-related restrictions of recent months, it was the first time that EU defence ministers had come together in person again for an informal meeting in Berlin. Press officers speak 'off the record' about the Council's activities. This is where European foreign ministers met informally in 1974, After six months, they meet in person again: The defence ministers of the European Union. Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU 2021 is committed to transparency in all procurement processes. In total, 71,519 tonnes of CO2 equivalents (i.e. Outcomes of the German EU Council Presidency. With 27 member states and almost half a billion citizens, we are the second largest economic power in the world and a global player in many fields. A videoconference of the members of the European Economic Area Council was held on 18 November at the initiative of Liechtenstein’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Katrin Eggenberger. That makes the common trade policy a top priority for member states. The Council of the EU is the institution representing the member states' governments. For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the heads of state and government met physically in Brussels. The press office is the first point of contact for all media requests. We will use this data to improve your experience on our website. Summit meetings with both China and the African Union are planned. German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer at the Informal Meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Berlin on 26 August - the last time that "the Trio" had met physically, Reforms to the CAP aim to make European agriculture more sustainable, German Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner at a press conference with European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski following the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Luxembourg, Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Julia Klöckner chaired the Council meeting of EU agriculture ministers, Advancing the European Research Area: German Research Minister Anja Karliczek (second from right) with her EU counterparts at the conference in Bonn, The Common Agricultural Policy makes farming in Europe more sustainable and more environmentally sound while providing a stable and reliable framework, A fishing boat on the Baltic Sea. The Minister's initiative for an EU-wide animal welfare label met with broad support. ​​​​​​​, Justus Lipsius Building in Brussels. One key issue discussed with China was climate action. EU Presidency Translator is an automated translation service specially designed for the 2018 Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Interview with leading diplomat at the Federal Foreign Office: “The partnership with China is indispensable”, Earth Speakr: Talking about the future of the planet, Minister of State Monika Grütters (first row, middle) with her European counterparts on the steps of the Federal Chancellery, In 2020, the Europe-wide aim of the plastic pirates is to "capture" waste along riverbanks and in the immediate surroundings of bodies of water, The current relief operation expresses EU member states’ solidarity with the people of Lebanon, On 11 and 12 September in Berlin, German Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz discussed Europe's economic recovery and own resources for the EU budget with EU ministers for financial and economic affairs, German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke in Berlin on the situation in Moria, The Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community and the Federal Governement Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight against Anti-Semitism are jointly organising the EU conference "Together against Anti-Semitism in Europe", How can we strengthen cohesion in Europe? Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the German Chancellory in Berlin. Germany would "use all the means at our disposal to combat the pandemic and its consequences," German Chancellor Angela Merkel promised the European social partners. Chancellor Merkel in the European Parliament​​​​​​​, Chancellor Merkel in the European Parliament: Human rights and civil liberties are Europe's most valuable posessions, German Chancellor Angela Merkel upon arriving at the European Parliament in Brussels, Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Franziska Giffey with the joint Trio Presidency Declaration on Gender Equality. Under the motto “Together for Europe’s recovery”, Germany will hold the Council Presidency until the end of the year. 'The important thing is that the president should have been seated exactly in the same manner as the president of the European council and the Turkish president,' EU … Activate social media feed. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will virtually attend plenary session, German Minister of Labour Hubertus Heil and German Minister for Family Affairs Franziska Giffey will chair the virtual meeting, Foreign Minister Maas at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, A statue of Justitia, the Roman goddess of justice and law, Humanitarian assistance also means working to help humanity and includes the preservation of cultural infrastructure, Among other topics, Germany's Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection Christine Lambrecht will discuss the digitalisation of EU justice systems with her European counterparts, Foreign Minister Maas is travelling to Bratislava. EU trade ministers discussed a variety of international trade relationships during their videoconference, 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 the Council of the EU, and European Commission President von der Leyen, The memorial East Side Gallery in Berlin's Friedrichshain neighbourhood boasts the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall. The European Union is one of the world’s most strongly export oriented economies. Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner met with EU ministers of agriculture in Koblenz. The presidency is not an individual, but rather the position is held by a national government. EU High Representative Josep Borrell and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, German Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas in Brussels, During the informal meeting, German Minister of Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier discussed current issues of EU trade policy with his European counterparts, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Julia Klöckner met her European colleagues at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels today, German Minister for Economic Affairs Altmaier discussed with his EU counterparts how to deepen the EU’s Single Market to kickstart a strong recovery in Europe, The CoE team (from left to right): Markus Woelke, Hanneke Brouwer, Benjamin Tallis, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Volker Jacoby, Taina Järvinen, Daniela Dietmayr, Estela López-Hermoso, German Education Minister Anja Karliczek with European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit on the second day of the Informal Meeting of EU Education Ministers in Osnabrück, During its Presidency of the Council of the EU, Germany aims to strengthen cooperation in vocational training, German Minister of Education Anja Karliczek will receive her European counterparts in Osnabrück for an informal meeting from 16 to 17 September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver today her State of the Union address following her first year in office, The conference was the central event on the social dimension of Europe during Germany's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.