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The Netherlands EU Presidency 2016

In the first half of 2016 the Netherlands will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union

What does holding the EU Presidency involve?

 

Every six months a different member state holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In 2016 the Netherlands will hold the Presidency for the twelfth time. The last time was in 2004.

 

Holding the Presidency involves mediating and brokering compromises between the 28 EU member states and between EU institutions like the Council, European Commission and European Parliament.

 

The sixth-month Presidency rotates between all the member states.

The presiding member state draws up the agenda for the Council and chairs all meetings. Ministers from the presiding member state chair the meetings with their fellow EU ministers (EU Council configurations). Meetings of the European heads of state and government and of European foreign affairs ministers have their own permanent chairs, however.

 

 

Trio Presidency

 

Each Presidency works closely with the two member states that preceded or will follow it. This partnership is known as the ‘Trio Presidency’.

 

The trio determines long-term objectives and draws up an agenda of the major issues the Council will tackle over the next 18 months. To this end, each of the three member states draws up its own six-month programme.

 

The Netherlands is partnered with Slovakia, which will hold the Presidency from July to December 2016 and Malta, which will hold the Presidency from January to June 2017.

 

 

Transparency

 

The Netherlands government is working to foster greater and active transparency in European decision-making. Transparency and trust go hand in hand, as do trust and public support. By pressing for more transparency, the government wants to help increase support for the European Union.

 

 

What does the Netherlands want to achieve during its EU Presidency?

 

As EU Presidency holder, the Netherlands’ guiding principles are a Union that focuses on the essentials, a Union that focuses on growth and jobs through innovation, and a Union that connects with civil society.

 

The Netherlands wants the European Union to focus on what matters to Europe’s citizens and businesses. The priorities are prosperity, freedom and security. It does not want the EU to deal with issues that the member states can organise perfectly well themselves. Examples include health care, education, pensions and taxation.

 

Innovation, growth and jobs come first. To that end, Europe needs smarter rules – simplified rules that apply to all member states. That will reduce bureaucracy and costs for citizens, companies and public authorities alike.

 

It is important for citizens and civil society organisations to feel connected to Europe, and they will if they see the EU achieving results that matter. And if they can follow how the EU works.

 

In Europe we stand stronger together. There is more that unites us than divides us. That applies to trade, the environment, the climate, energy and, not least, our peace, security and prosperity.

 

The Dutch tradition of consultation and cooperation can accomplish a lot in Europe.

 

 

Where will it be taking place?

 

The EU ministers will continue to meet in Brussels and Luxembourg. But there will also be a number of formal and informal meetings in the Netherlands. For ministers, these meetings will be held at the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.

 

Meetings involving other officials will be held at Amsterdam’s historic naval dockyard, located next to the museum. A cultural programme has also been planned there.

 

The European Commission and members of the European Parliament will make working visits to The Hague.

 

 

Visitors’ centre

 

One of the key principles of the Dutch Presidency is ‘a Union that connects’. The government wishes to encourage the active involvement of people and civil society organisations in European decision-making.

 

To this end, a visitors’ centre will be located near the Presidency venue in Amsterdam. There visitors can learn more about the history and operation of the EU. Students and creatives will use photography, video and interactive applications to visualise the role the EU plays in our daily lives. Visitors will be able to create their own avatar and watch animated films. Surprising facts about EU countries will be on display, as well as updates on the Presidency’s activities on social media. There will also be an overview of upcoming meetings and events.

 

The visitors’ centre will open in Pension Homeland in the first week of January. Entry will be free of charge during opening hours. Everyone is welcome to come and take a look.

 

 

Forward-looking climate & energy policy

 

The Netherlands is committed to a coherent approach to issues concerning the climate, the environment and sustainability.

 

How can Europe achieve its economic goals and use raw materials and energy wisely? The Netherlands emphasises the synergy between these issues and is working towards a future-proof model for sustainable growth. This requires a ‘circular’ economy, which entails the wise use and re-use of natural resources and raw materials, including waste.

 

The Netherlands is also committed to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, a European Energy Union and to a forward-looking climate policy.