ROMANIA’S PRESIDENCY OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL FROM JANUARY 1ST UP TO JUNE 30TH 2019

The primary questions of Romania during the term of office are European values, unity, equality and convergence. Since the beginning of membership in the European Union, it was the first time that the country held the Council presidency.

The Romanian presidency focuses on four central priorities of Europe development: approximation, safety, increasing the power as a strong global player and common values.

Tasks of Romania as the head of EU Council:

• 1 development of the Council's work on European Union legislation;
• 2 maintenance of the continuity in the legislative processes;
• 3 ensuring interaction between EU member countries.

The work of the President is to be the honest and neutral mediator. Main tasks of Romanian presidency in EU Council are:

Organization and holding of the meetings

The presidency assures the functioning of meetings of various units and preparatory bodies of the EU Council such as the Permanent Representatives Committee, and working committees and commissions dealing with very special cases, excluding the Foreign Affairs Council. The presidency should control the time limit during the sessions, the using of Council’s authorized methods and also organize various official and unofficial meetings in Brussels and on its own territory.

Representing the Council in connection with the other EU institutions

The presidency represents the official position of European Council in collaboration with the main EU institutions, especially, the European Commission and the European Parliament. Its main role is to agree and approve new laws through informal talks and Conciliation Committee sessions. The presidency works in close collaboration with the EC President and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, which expands the list of possible duties. The EU presidency can represent, if required, the Foreign Affairs Council before the European Parliament or presiding the Foreign Affairs Council, if the consideration of important commercial policy points is needed.