Presidency Calendar

The Presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every 6 months. During this 6-month period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU’s work in the Council.

Member states holding the presidency work together closely in groups of three, called ‘trios’. This system was introduced by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009. The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the topics and major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an 18 month period. On the basis of this programme, each of the three countries prepares its own more detailed 6-month programme.

The current trio is made up of the presidencies of the Germany, Portugal and Slovenia.

 

 

Portugal’s Presidency | January – June 2021

 

Portugal is taking over the Presidency at a particularly difficult moment, when the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic consequences present an unprecedented challenge for the EU and its Member States, requiring decisive and wide-ranging action. We have the vision, the programme and the financial instruments needed to set out together along a path of hope, confidence and credibility. Our rallying cry will therefore be: ‘Time to deliver: a fair, green and digital recovery’.

 

Portugal takes over this Presidency with three major priorities for the EU:

• To promote a recovery leveraged by the climate and digital transitions
• To implement the European Pillar of Social Rights of the European Union as a distinctive element for ensuring a fair and inclusive climate and digital transition
• To strengthen Europe’s autonomy whilst remaining open to the world, taking a leading role in climate action and promoting a digital transformation in the service of people

 

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