The most important task for the Presidency is to lead and organise the work of the Council of the European Union. This is based on the Council’s annual work programme produced in January each year, to which the country holding the Presidency adds its own priorities. It must also be prepared to act if unexpected issues or international crises arise.
The Presidency is responsible for producing agendas, convening meetings and providing all countries with the relevant materials. The Council makes all formal decisions, but much of the groundwork is done during the preparations for these meetings. Decisions in the Council are often a formality as the Member States have already accepted the proposal in advance.
The preparatory work is done in Coreper and the Council’s 160 or so committees and working parties. Some 3 000 different EU meetings are held in these groups during each Presidency. The country holding the Presidency also leads the work of these groups.
Another important task for the Presidency is producing compromise proposals and mediating between the other Member States. The country holding the Presidency, unlike other Member States, should therefore primarily not argue in favour of its own views on an issue but rather attempt to reconcile the views of the other Member States in order to reach a decision.
It is the task of the Presidency to handle contacts between the Council and the other EU institutions. This means that the country holding the Presidency represents the other Member States vis-à-vis the European Parliament, European Commission and other institutions.
At the start of the Presidency the country in question presents its work programme to the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
The holder of the Presidency also handles negotiations with the European Parliament when new legislation is to be approved. Ministers from the Presidency country also participate in European Parliament Question Time sessions.
The Presidency also cooperates with the European Commission on some issues, for example ahead of negotiations on international trade agreements.
The Presidency is responsible for coordinating external relations and represents the EU in meetings with countries outside the EU and in international organisations. The Presidency is supported in this work by the Secretary-General of the Council, Javier Solana.