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Presidency of the Council of the European Union

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union refers to the responsibility of presiding over all aspects of the Council of the European Union, when exercised collectively by a government, on a pre-established rota of the member states, of the European Union. The Presidency, which is sometimes called the European Presidency, has as its primary responsibility to organize and chair all meetings of the Council. However, working out compromises capable of resolving difficulties is in practice also a primary responsibility.

The post as President of the Council of the European Union is for each separate meeting held by the responsible government minister of the member state holding the Presidency. Separate from the Council of the European Union there is also the European Council, which meets at European summits at about four times per year. The task as President of the assembled European Council, is similarly performed by the head of government or head of state of the member state holding the Presidency.

Rota

The Council of the European Union is presided over for a period of six months by each member state of the European Union in turn, in accordance with a pre-established rota unless the Council makes a new decision.

1998First half-yearUnited Kingdom
Second half-yearAustria
1999First half-yearGermany
Second half-yearFinland
2000First half-yearPortugal
Second half-yearFrance
2001First half-yearSweden
Second half-yearBelgium
2002First half-yearSpain
Second half-yearDenmark
2003First half-yearGreece
Second half-yearItaly
2004First half-yearIreland
Second half-yearNetherlands
2005First half-yearLuxembourg
Second half-yearUnited Kingdom
2006First half-yearAustria
Second half-yearFinland

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