11 / 01 / 2019

Romania takes over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU

Starting the 1^st of January 2019, Romania holds the EU Council Presidency for the first half of 2019, following Austria. The Romanian Presidency will be marked by important political developments and stakes, such as the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Brexit), the negotiations on the next European budget for 2021-2027 and the European Parliament elections in May 2019. On the 8^th of January, Romania presented to the Council its Presidency Priorities, which are organised around four pillars:

Europe of convergence;
A safer Europe;
Europe as a stronger global actor;
Europe of common values.

Under the first pillar, the Romanian Presidency will aim at “increasing competitiveness and promoting innovation, connectivity and digitalization, stimulating entrepreneurship and consolidating the European industrial policy”. On the 1^st of January, the three successive presidencies, knows as presidency trios, also take over. Trio Romania – Finland – Croatia (2019-2020) intends to ensure the continuity of the EU Council’s work.

More information on the Presidency, its priorities and foreseen events