Germany takes over the Presidency of the EU Council - immediate response to the Covid-19 crisis as priority

From 1st June to 31st December 2020 Germany will be holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

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Building on the new strategic agenda 2019-2024, approved in June by the European Council, Germany sets out the guiding principles of its Presidency:

• overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic permanently, as well as the economic recovery

• a stronger and more innovative Europe

• a fair Europe

• a sustainable Europe

• a Europe of security and common values

• a strong Europe in the world

Tackling the Covid-19 pandemic is the key priority for Germany. On one hand, the containment of Covid-19 is a precondition for the European recovery. One the other, the challenge posed by the economic and health crisis is an opportunity to accelerate the green and digital transformation enshrined in the Green Deal.

Not surprisingly, the immediate priority will be the rapid adoption of the EU Budget for 2021-2017 – the Multiannual Financial Framework - and the swift establishment of the EU recovery plan.

Germany plans to enhance EU competitiveness through a further development of the single market and the EU industrial strategy. In particular for SMEs, mostly in the field of competition, by modernising state aids legislation, considering the global competition when reviewing mergers and ensuring a level playing field. Financial stability and a fairer taxation system complements the priorities of the German Presidency. Moreover, Germany wants to reach a successful outcome in the negotiations with the UK towards a future partnership, with a good balance between rights and obligations, as well as fair conditions for competition.

The policy on China should be shaped by long-term common EU interests and values to foster greater reciprocity in all policy areas including: climate protection, biodiversity, global health, solutions to problems in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. In trade relations with China the EU wants to establish a more level playing field.

Finally, the German Presidency wants to extend free trade and investment protection agreements as a key factor in diversifying and safeguarding supply chains and in generating the necessary growth finalising the agreement with MERCOSUR and Mexico, accelerating the conclusion on the negotiations with New Zealand and making progress in the talks with Chile, Indonesia and Tunisia.