czech presidency of the council of european union

8/14/2019 Czech Presidency of the Council of European Union

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CZECH REPUBLICSPRESIDENCY OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEANUNION

By Kristianto Budinugroho


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What is the European Union CouncilPresidency?

The Council of the EU is an intergovernmental institutionof the European Union advocating the interests of individual Member States.

In general, the term EU Presidency means that oneMember State presides over the council of the EuropeanUnion.

Presidency of the Council of the European Union is theresponsibility for the functioning of the Council of theEuropean Union which is rotated between EuropeanUnion member states every six months.


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Functioning

The Presidency organise and chairs all meetings of theCouncil of the EU and its working committees

negotiates compromises across Member States

acts on behalf of the European Union in negotiations withnon-EU countries and international organizations The Presidency represents the Council of the EU in

interactions with other EU institutions, especially theEuropean Parliament and the European Commission .


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Trio Presidencies

The Presidency of the Council of the European Unionrotates every six months. To uphold its continuity, thePresidencies work in trio.

These three Presidencies work together to create a joineighteen-month programme.

The first Trio Presidency consisted of Germany, Portugaland Slovenia.

The Czech Republic is part of a second Trio with Franceand Sweden for the period between 1 July 2008 and 31December 2009.


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These "triple-shared presidency" work together toaccomplish a common agenda by the current presidentsimply continuing the work of the previous "lead-president" after the end of his/her term.

It is not a summary of the priorities of the three countries,but rather a catalogue of work to be done by the Council.


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Presidency Motto

The motto of the Czech Presidency is Europe withoutBarriers.

Its reflect four basic freedoms: the free movement of goods, services, persons and capital, including thecomplicated EU and national legislation.

By this motto, the Czech Republic expresses its will toremove barriers that still exist among EU Member State.

At the same time, the motto expresses Europesopenness to the outside, toward the entire world.


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Priorities of the Czech EUPresidency

The key priorities are the three Es:> Economy

> Energy> Europe in the world / external relations


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Economy

to increase Europes competitiveness to enhance consumer confidence, but also the confidence

of small and medium-sized enterprises in the marketeconomy

to deal with the financial crisis in an effective andreasonable way

to carry on liberal reforms of the budget and EU policies,particularly the Common Agriculture Policy

to promote employment


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Energy

The Czech Republic regards the energy policy as a searchfor balance between the demands of the environment andthe preservation of competitiveness and energy security inEurope.

It is crucial for the future and security of the European Unionto have a common energy policy and to act as one whennegotiating energy supplies.

the Czech Republic is fully conscious of the importance of

competition in public service sectors (electricity, gas,telecommunications, transport, postal services) for consumers and for the companies who use these sectors.


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External Relations

External Relations means the emphasis on Transatlanticrelations, which the Czech Republic, together with other EU Member States, considers to be fundamental for EUsecurity and economic cooperation.

Openness and further enlargement of the EU. Czech Presidency want to further the integration of the

Western Balkans. The Eastern Europe Partnership is another important

priority.


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Presidency Budget

To allow for quality and reliable provision during theCzech Presidency, the government has allocated CZK 1.9billion from the central budget for the years 2007-2009.

CZK 200 million were approved for 2007, CZK 700 millionfor 2008 and CZK 1 billion has been set aside to cater for the Presidency as such in 2009

This budget is allocated from the General TreasuryAdministration.


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The funds of the General Treasury Administration will cover,for example, rent payments for permanent conferencepremises, where most of the meetings on various levels willbe held, as well as rents for conference premises in theregions, for informal ministerial EU Council meetings.

Furthermore, these funds are designated for accreditation

payments, operational costs of the website, promotion of thePresidency at home and abroad, interpreting, conferenceequipment, refreshments at informal ministerial meetings andother meetings on the highest-level, etc.

czech presidency of the council of european union

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