- ITALY TOOK OVER THE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU

On the 1st of July 2014, Italy took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union from Greece for a 12th time in the EU history. The rotating presidency now belongs to Italy for the next six-month period. The last time Italy assumed the presidency, the negotiations over the draft of the Constitutional Treaty at the IGC 2003 were carried out under the Berlusconi government. The program and priorities of the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU put a major emphasis on the economic growth, reinvigorating the European economy and employment prospects, fully exercising the citizenship rights and promoting a stronger role for Europe in a rapidly changing international arena.

Economic Growth and Employment

Italian Presidency aspires to place growth and employment at the centre of its reform agenda, by establishing a new economic framework that will encourage structural reforms within EU Member States. As part of these initiatives, a special importance is given to the re-discovery of the industry sector in Europe through the “Industrial Renaissance”. Within this framework a special focus will be given in fostering SMEs and improving the business environment. The energy and climate issues will be also at the heart of growth policies. Within the energy area, Italian Presidency aims to diversify EU’s energy supplies and routes as well as to take the necessary measures to ensure energy security. This Presidency will continue to work on the 2030 policy framework for climate and energy. The Italian government ensured that an agreement will be reached on climate and energy issues during the EU Summit that will be held in October this year.

Deepening and strengthening of the European Economic and Monetary Union, adapting the education and training systems to the need of the  labour market and encouraging investments on research and innovation through the structural and investment funds and within the framework of Horizon 2020 are among other priorities of the Italian Presidency.  It is also foreseen to achieve the completion of the single digital market since it is essential for the EU to seize the opportunities of the digital market.

In addition to those measures, the Italian Presidency will make effort to revitalise the Europe 2020 Strategy in order to encourage smart, sustainable and inclusive growth within the EU.  In this regard, the Italian Presidency envisages organizing an open debate to increase the effectiveness of the strategy.

Closer relations with EU citizens: Democracy, Rights and Freedom

During the Italian Presidency, there will be important changes within the European institutions.  These changes are as follows: the newly elected members of the European Parliament will take office on the 1st July 2014; new Commissioners together with the new High Representative will take office in November; and lastly, a new President will be leading the EU Summit as of the 1st December 2014. The Italian Presidency will thus need to ensure this transition is achieved smoothly. The Italian Presidency has pledged also for better European governance. In this regard, the Italian Presidency seeks to establish closer relations with its citizens through more democracy, accountability, and transparency.

Italy, during its presidency, aims to improve the protection of the fundamental rights especially in regard to data protection. Ensuring gender equality and the full implementation of the principle of “non-discrimination” remain of upmost importance for the Italian presidency.

Furthermore, the Italian Presidency intends to focus in the areas of migration and asylum especially by encouraging EU to adopt a more pronounced and a pro-active role in these policies. In this respect, Italy endeavours to promote a European migration policy.

Fresh impetus to EU’s foreign policy

The Italian Presidency will adopt a stronger stance in its relations to neighbours especially in the Mediterranean region.  The EU is ready to support countries from North Africa and the Middle East to smoothen their transitions process.

Concerning the neighbourhood policies, the Italian Presidency will focus on the implementation of the Association Agreements which were concluded with Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine. Within the enlargement policy, the Italian Presidency will work on further advancing EU accession process with the Balkan countries and on revitalizing the on-going accession negotiation with Turkey.

As to EU’s foreign trade policy, the efforts in concluding bilateral trade and investment negotiations with the emerging economics and strategic partners will increase during the Italian Presidency. On-going negotiations of free trade agreements with Asian countries and of Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the USA also have greater focus in Italy’s reform agenda.

Other priorities include: adopting effective policies and practices in fighting against cybercrime, implementing the EU Maritime Security Strategy and deciding on a common EU position on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

For more information please visit: http://italia2014.eu/en