Guide
Five reasons for EU Presidency monitoring
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political partnership between 27 European countries. The EU operates on a rotating presidency system, in which each member state holds the presidency for a six-month term. During this term, the country holding the presidency chairs meetings of the EU Council, which is made up of the heads of state or government of all member countries. That should make EU Presidency monitoring a priority for any public affairs professional in Europe already.
Background
What is the Presidency of the EU Council?
The country holding the presidency also sets the agenda for Council meetings and represents the EU on the international stage.
Schedule
The current EU Presidency calendar
| Period | Member State |
|---|---|
| January – June 2023 | Sweden (official website) |
| July – December 2023 | Spain |
| January – June 2024 | Belgium |
| July – December 2024 | Hungary |
| January – June 2025 | Poland |
| July – December 2025 | Denmark |
| January – June 2026 | Cyprus |
| July – December 2026 | Ireland |
| January – June 2027 | Lithuania |
| July – December 2027 | Greece |
| January – June 2028 | Italy |
| July – December 2028 | Latvia |
| January – June 2029 | Luxembourg |
| July – December 2029 | Netherlands |
| January – June 2030 | Slovakia |
| July – December 2030 | Malta |
The calendar was updated back in 2016 to reflect the UK’s Brexit decision and Croatia joining the European Union.
History
Historical landmarks of the EU Presidencies
One major historical policy achievement of the EU Presidency is the establishment of the euro as the currency for 19 of the 27 EU member states. This was a significant step towards economic integration and has had a major impact on trade and investment within the EU.
Another major achievement was the creation of the Schengen Area, which allows for passport-free travel between 26 European countries. This has greatly increased mobility within the EU and has had a positive impact on tourism and business.
Five reasons
Why monitoring the EU Presidency matters
Here are five reasons why monitoring the EU Presidency is important.
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01
Agenda-setting power
The EU Presidency sets the agenda for meetings of the EU Council, which makes decisions on key issues affecting the EU.
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02
International representation
The country holding the presidency represents the EU on the international stage and can influence the EU’s relationship with other countries.
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03
Policy-area impact
The EU Presidency can have a major impact on specific policy areas, such as trade, immigration, and foreign policy.
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04
Member-state insight
Monitoring the EU Presidency allows for a better understanding of the priorities and goals of individual member states and how they align with the goals of the EU as a whole.
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05
Business and regulatory planning
Being aware of the EU Presidency can help businesses and organizations plan and adapt to potential changes in policy and regulations.
Takeaway
A crucial lens on EU decision-making
Overall, the EU Presidency plays a crucial role in shaping the direction and decisions of the EU. Monitoring the EU Presidency can provide valuable insights into the priorities and goals of individual member states, as well as the EU as a whole. It can also help businesses and organizations anticipate and respond to potential changes in policy and regulations.
Policy-Insider.AI now includes the content of the dedicated EU Presidency websites since 2022. Try it out for free or at our partners from Euractiv Intelligence. If you are unsure about the use of automated policy monitoring, read our ultimate guide to policy monitoring apps.
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