For more information, see our data privacy statement. Welcome to the official government website of Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2020. Council and European Council documents are made available through the public register, in accordance with EU rules on transparency. 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. 1. Overview. Committees and working parties handle the preparatory work on files before they are discussed at Council meetings. Germany's Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier and EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton at today's meeting. The aim of the online conference, chaired by German Health Minister Jens Spahn, was to hold initial talks about the European Union’s position on potential reforms to the World Health Organisation (WHO), German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze on the EU's new climate goal: "A common understanding is developing", By assuming the Presidency, Germany has taken on the role of “honest broker” and will seek to find compromises and solutions among the Member states in the Council, Chancellor Angela Merkel at the European Council meeting in Brussels in July: at 91 hours and 20 minutes it was the second longest European Council meeting in history, German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze will exchange views with European colleagues in Berlin on the link between biodiversity loss and the coronavirus pandemic, as well as EU climate targets, German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer presenting the roadmap for further negotiations on European migration policy, German Minister for Education and Research Anja Karliczek at the meeting in Brussels, German Minister of Education and Research Anja Karliczek discussed Horizon Europe regulation with EU ministers responsible for research and innovation in Brussels, Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, hosted the high-level conference on the future of European cohesion and structural policy. To get more information about these cookies, how and why we use them and how you can change your settings, check our cookies policy page. The presidency has two main tasks: (i) planning and chairing meetings in the Council and its preparatory bodies (with the exception of the Foreign Affairs Council) and (ii) representing the Council, mediating and brokering compromises between the EU member states and between EU institutions such as the Council, European Commission and European Parliament. The videoconference built on the discussions at the Informal Meeting of EU Health Ministers on 16 July 2020, A visit to the Chancellery: German Chancellor Angela Merkel with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven in Berlin, EU agriculture ministers met for an informal meeting in Koblenz, at the invitation of Minister Julia Klöckner. www.consilium.europa.eu HANDBOOK OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION RS 012/2018. 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. People in all three Trio Presidency countries were asked for their views in the youth video project, Holger Osterrieder, Coordinator of the EU2020 Planning and Protocol Task Force at the Federal Foreign Office, German Foreign Minister Maas: "Very close to a solution which will finally open a new chapter in our relations with the UK", Christmas in Europe: A time for reflection, comfort and charity, The three different countries observe different Christmas traditions, Restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant that many Presidency events went digital, Six months, hundreds of meetings and many accomplishments - reflect back on Germany's 2020 Council Presidency in figures, On Monday the EMA recommended approving the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine for use in the EU. Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner met with EU ministers of agriculture in Koblenz. 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 ‘permanent President’ contrasts with the six-month presidency that member states hold in rotation in the sectoral formations of the Council. EU Council Presidency We assume responsibility for Europe in difficult times Together, In solidarity, Future-oriented. Lisbon would like to use its presidency of the EU Council to repair the transatlantic relationship as much as possible. The European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council have agreed to promote the final retirement of fishing vessels in the Baltic sea as part of Germany's Council Presidency, EU agriculture ministers adopted Council conclusions on the Farm to Fork Strategy, Chancellor Angela Merkel after the European Council meeting in Brussels, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas heading to Paris, The informal meeting will be chaired by German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier, Minister of State Dorothee Bär, Federal Government Commissioner for Digitalisation. the President of the European Council; the high representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. EU Presidency Translator is an automated translation service specially designed for the 2018 Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. 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. The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every 6 months. The official website of Germany's Presidency of the Council of the European Union (July through December 2020) The press office is the first point of contact for all media requests. On 1 July 2020, Germany took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). The General Secretariat of the Council is a body of staff responsible for assisting the European Council and the Council of the EU. Also known informally as the EU Council, it is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies. German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel. German Minister of Health Jens Spahn chaired the videoconference with his EU counterparts, The WHO will resume its 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA) via videoconference between 9 and 14 November, bringing together delegations from all 194 member states, German Chancellor Angela Merkel during the videoconference of EU heads of state and government, German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the videoconference with members of the European Council, From Passau to Berlin: the Informal Meeting of EU Transport Ministers could not take place in Passau as planned due to the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, EU transport ministers will discuss the future of mobility in Europe, with a focus on digitalisation and artificial intelligence, The series "3 Questions, 3 Answers" answers your questions about important topics of Germany's Presidency of the Council of the EU, German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer chaired the virtual meeting on "Harnessing the digital revolution to make the mobility of the future", German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas: "The crisis made it clear that we are one European family", The online event “Green Recovery – Emerging stronger from the crisis” consisted of a mid-term review of economic and climate policy initiatives during Germany’s Council Presidency, Environment Minister Svenja Schulze at the presse conference after the Environment Council in Luxembourg: Agreement on a partial general approach on the proposed European climate law reached, Important forest habitat: EU environment ministers advocate the protection of biological diversity, From increasing digital sovereignty to fighting cybercrime: Germany's Council Presidency has very specific goals for the digital sector, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier chaired the informal videoconference, On behalf of Germany's Presidency of the Council of the EU, Environment Minister Svenja SchulzE chaired the meeting. Elsewhere around the world, other, shorter remnants still stand, German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer: "We have demonstrated Europe’s ability to act", German Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas: "The rule of law is part of the set of values on which the European project is built", The videoconference was chaired by German Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz within the framework of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, Olaf Scholz, Germany's Minister of Finance, chaired the videoconference, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas: "We need a strong civil society that teaches children and teenagers by example what it means to show civic courage and stand up for Jews", German Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht during a videoconference of EU justice ministers, The revised Youth Guarantee is meant to promote youth employment within the EU, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the Lisbon Treaty the members of the European Council elect their President by qualified majority for a once-renewable term of two-and-a-half years. One key issue discussed with China was climate action. Machine Translation provided by DeepL, DFKI, eTranslation, Tilde. 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. Letter from Federal Minister Andreas Scheuer following up on the Council of Transport Ministers on 08.12.2020. You can also take a look at Council publications, access the archives and search for legislation that the Council negotiates together with the European Parliament. Today’s meeting will build upon the 22nd summit between EU and Chinese leaders on 22 June, which also took place virtually, Petra Sigmund is Director General for Asia and the Pacific at the Federal Foreign Office. In total, 71,519 tonnes of CO2 equivalents (i.e. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the German Chancellory in Berlin. Signs pointing to Fort de Brégançon in southern France. Federal Minister Julia Klöckner: "Our agreement on provisional quotas is a guarantee for our European fishers that they will be able to carry on fishing from 1 January", Federal Minister Klöckner: "Today’s decision is a clear commitment to greater animal welfare in Europe and a significant step forward", Federal Minister Julia Klöckner: "We are actively committed to ensuring that the origin of food will be labelled in a more transparent manner", Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Julia Klöckner, From left to right: Constitutional Affairs Committee Member Danuta Hübner, European Parliament Vice-President Katarina Barley, Minister of State Michael Roth and Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and EU High Representative Josep Borrell before the meeting of foreign ministers from the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean, EU Commissioner Ylva Johannson joined EU home affairs ministers at their final videoconference under the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, EU home affairs ministers discussed strengthening Europol's operational mandate, Under the EU-Regulation, Member States are required to sign bilateral solidarity agreements with one another, Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier discussing energy efficiency with his European counterparts at the videoconference, Energy system integration is crucial for setting the path towards a climate neutral Europe, A duo participating in the "Europe talks - Europa spricht" project, German Chancellor Angela Merkel in conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron and Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, European Council meeting room in the Europa building in Brussels, The new centre will promote cybersecurity research around the EU, Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer at the Videoconference of EU Interior Ministers on 13 November 2020, Federal Minister of Defence Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer answered questions on the German Presidency of the Council of the EU, In 2012 the EU received the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe, Continuous long-distance rail transport should make Europe even more climate and environmentally friendly, Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Andreas Scheuer, exchanged ideas with his counterparts about the Eurovignette and the Single European Sky initiative, Under German Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth's leadership, the ministers discussed future EU-UK relations, Minister of State for Europe Roth at the last virtual, informal meeting of the General Affairs Council during Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, The promotion and protection of human rights remain a cornerstone and priority of EU external action, A historic scene – 7 December 1970: Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt kneeling before the memorial at the former Jewish ghetto in Warsaw, which commemorates the heroes of the ghetto uprising of April 1943, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday in Brussels, Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection Christine Lambrecht: "We will strengthen cooperation between Member States and EU institutions, ensuring that consumers are able to assert their rights across European borders", The series "Looking back, looking ahead" explains the major topics of European politics in their historical context, At the Informal Videoconference, ministers will discuss about the nexus of  consumer protection and the digital transformation, The Data Governance Act was a key agenda item at the videoconference of the EU ministers for telecommunications and digital policy, German Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth: "The German Council Presidency is fully committed in strengthening transparency by introducing a new Transparency Register at EU level. The presidency has two main tasks: (i) planning and chairing meetings in the Council and its preparatory bodies (with the exception of the Foreign Affairs Council) and  (ii) representing the Council, mediating and brokering compromises between the EU member states and between EU institutions such as the Council, European Commission and European Parliament.Due to the UK decision not to take up its scheduled Council presidency in the second half of 2017, the Council adopted a revised order of the presidencies which runs until 2030. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas "passes on" the baton via video, to his Portuguese counterpart - and then sends the baton on its way to Lisbon, The EU and China have concluded a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, Portugal's Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva in Berlin: This is the fourth time Portugal holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Portugal has been a member of the European Economic Community since 1 January 1986, School children at the 2019 theatre festival in Almada, Foreign Minister Maas: "On 1 January we say 'Hello, Goodbye' to the United Kingdom", On 31 December the German Presidency of the Council of the EU will end, after six months of intensive work for the European Union, EU member states work together to tackle the challenge of the coronavirus, Earth Speakr, Faces of Europe, Disappearing Wall, Europe in Film and much more - our series "Focus on culture" takes a closer look at the cultural programme of Germany´s presidency of the Council of the EU, What do people think about Europe? 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. Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron at the Special European Council meeting in Brussels. Activate social media feed. #eu2020hr The Council of the EU and the European Council work on a wide range of issues affecting the interests of the EU and its citizens. In six months this can add up to over 1,500 meetings. The Council meets in ten different configurations, depending on the subject being discussed. The European Union is one of the world’s most strongly export oriented economies. Download here the Official Calendar. Germany's Federal Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer consulted with his EU counterparts on the European Commission's proposal for new pact on migration and asylum, among other topics, German Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer will chair the informal exchange between EU transport ministers, Co-moderator Katharina Kirschbaum, German Development Minister Gerd Müller, German Labour Minister Hubertus Heil and moderator Tanja Samrotzki (from left to right) engaged with digitally connected guests from all over Europe, Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová (left), European Parliament negotiator Katarina Barley and Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth for Germany's EU Council Presidency welcomed the progress made in the negotiations, At the conclusion of the EU Youth Conference, Family Affairs Minister Franziska Giffey talked with young people about the issues that concern them, The aim of the online conference, chaired by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier, was to discuss current issues of European energy policy, German Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz chaired the meeting, A hydrogen filling station: An energy source with potential, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas: "We now champion Europe’s unity just as passionately as we did German unity 30 years ago", Clockwise: Journalists Tonia Mastrobuoni, Rosalia Romaniec, Polona Fijavž and Pascal Thibaut. From here she interprets from six languages into German. Minister of State for Europe Michael Roth delivers his opening statement, Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe, will chair the videoconference, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Julia Klöckner: "We need to strike a smart balance between climate change mitigation, biodiversity and economic viability", Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Julia Klöckner will chair the virtual meeting of the EU Ministers of Agriculture, Economic Affairs Minister Altmaier said: "We’re not abandoning small and medium-sized enterprises in these difficult times", What do children and teenager from Europa wish for the future? Solution developed by Tilde. HANDBOOK OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Elisabeth Bock-Chambon in her interpreting booth in a Brussels meeting room. German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer at the virtual informal meeting of the EU's home affairs ministers. 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. A selection of the goals that the German Council Presidency has set itself in agricultural and fisheries policy. Know the full programme for the Portuguese Presidency. 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. The translation platform was developed by Tilde. ​​​​​​​, Justus Lipsius Building in Brussels. The Trio has adopted a Declaration outlining the main areas of focus for their … The current trio is made up of the presidencies of the Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta. On Wednesday 26 August, EU defence ministers will meet at the informal meeting in Berlin, Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the EU: Demonstrating our ability to act, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on 21 July 2020 in Athens, President Macron receives Chancellor Merkel at his summer residence, Fort de Brégançon. Notice This publication is produced by the General Secretariat of the Council and is intended for information purposes only. GAIA-X should support the development of a digital ecosystem in Europe which advances innovations, new data-driven services and applications. Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the EU 2021 is committed to transparency in all procurement processes. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at the Videoconference of EU Foreign Ministers, Following the internal exchange between the ministers, a virtual exchange with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki was held. What defines Europe and how do we want to live in Europe in the future? 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. Partnership with Africa is also to be deepened. Read more about the role of the European Council, Foreign affairs & international relations (91), Research & technological development (29), Consilium website on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Council Decision of 26 July 2016 with the revised order of Presidencies, Reading suggestions on the Rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union from the Library holdings. The projects of the Goethe-Institut in the cultural programme of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU have dealt with these questions. Outcomes of the German EU Council Presidency. 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). Presidency of the Council of the EU. Reforming European migration and asylum policy is one of the top priorities of Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2020. 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. The joint project of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and Tilde was made possible by financial support from the Federal Foreign Office. We use cookies in order to ensure that you can get the best browsing experience possible on the Council website. Under the motto “Together for Europe’s recovery”, Germany will hold the Council Presidency until the end of the year. It rotates among the member states of the EU every six months. The start of day three: German Chancellor Angela Merkel with other heads of state and government, including European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The Council of the European Union is where the governments of the EU member states are represented by government ministers of the member states. ABSTRACT: As the holder of the 6-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2020, Germany had the responsibility of guiding the Union through a range major political and policy challenges including managing the economic and financial response to Covid and the impact of the end of the UK’s post-Brexit transition period.