SK PRES

SK PRES

This year for the first time since joining the European Union (EU), the Slovak Republic will hold the presidency of the institution representing governments of all Member States – Council of the European Union. The presiding countries closely cooperate in three-member groups, so-called Triads. Slovakia creates the chairing trio together with the Netherlands and Malta. Our country will become the face and voice in various areas of the EU during its half-year presidency from 1st of July to 31st of December 2016.

The position of the presiding country in the Council of the European Union is a significant tool for influencing policies of the whole EU and presents a big opportunity for strengthening the status not only among Member states and third countries, but also in international institutions. The agenda of the Presidency results mainly from plans of work of the European Commission, European Parliament and further EU institutions. The main agenda of each presidency are the tasks developed in the common programme document that is a result of intense cooperation of the trio and tasks reflecting the current development and the need to deal with global crisis situations. The main coordinator of performing the presidency is the General Secretary of the Council of the European Union.