Irish, Lithuanian & Greek priorities. Council of the European Union. What does it do? Passes EU laws. Coordinates the broad economic policies of EU member countries. Signs agreements between the EU and other countries. Approves the annual EU budget Develops the EU's foreign and defence policies. 1. The Council and Parliament share the final say on new EU laws proposed by the Commission. 2.
EU member countries have decided they want an overall economic policy for Europe, coordinated by the economics and finance ministers of each country. A further objective is to create more jobs and improve education, healthcare and welfare systems. 3. The Council signs agreements on behalf of the EU – on subjects as diverse as the environment, trade, development, textiles, fisheries, science, technology and transport. 4. The money the EU can spend every year is decided jointly by the Council and the European Parliament. 5.
The EU does not have an army. 6. EU citizens should have equal access to justice anywhere in the EU. Who are the members of the Council? Voting. European Council. What does it do? Its role is twofold – setting the EU's general political direction and priorities, and dealing with complex or sensitive issues that cannot be resolved at a lower level of intergovernmental cooperation. Though influential in setting the EU political agenda, it has no powers to pass laws. Who exactly is involved? The European Council brings together the heads of state or government of every EU country, the Commission President and the European Council President, who chairs the meetings. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also takes part.
Who is the President of the European Council? Herman Van Rompuy is the President of the European Council. When and where does it meet? Twice every 6 months, though its president can convene a special meeting if needed. How are decisions taken? The European Council decides by consensus, except if the Treaties provide otherwise. History. Cyprus EU Presidency. Cyprus Presidency: How to make a difference? Cypriot Presidency priorities as presented in EP committees. The priorities of Cyprus' Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers are being presented to European Parliament committees by Cypriot ministers this week.
This compilation will be updated daily during this week. International trade The Cyprus presidency will make the best use of its geographical and cultural advantages to expand and deepen trade relations with the southern Mediterranean countries, the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade, Neoklis Sylikiotis, told the Committee on International trade on 11 July. He promised to concentrate on sectoral agreements and hoped to begin free trade negotiations with Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia soon.. MEPs wanted to know more about the presidency's strategy in trade relations with Japan and the US and asked to what extent Parliament's demands would be respected in both areas. One of the greatest concerns mentioned both by the minister and by MEPs was the current state of trade relations with Mercosur countries.
Industry, Research and Energy. Lithuania in the European Union - Main. Lithuania Presidency. - How would you judge Lithuania's progress in preparing for the EU presidency? What has been done and what is still left to be done? Are preparations going according to schedule? - Getting ready to preside over the Council of the European Union is a complex task, requiring much work and administrative expertise.
Thankfully, our diplomats and public servants have so far coped with it well. . - In August 2008, the Government approved a preparation plan for Lithuania's EU presidency. . - The 2008 preparation plan is, too, being implemented successfully and consistently. The presidency should not go unnoticed, so we've already started active communication campaign, we're drawing up inner communication schemes. . - Lithuania will inevitably inherit directions and tasks set forth by previous presiding states.
. - True, all three partners (Ireland, Lithuania, and Greece) cooperate in setting up the presidency agenda. . - What are the priorities of the Lithuanian presidency? - What is in it for us? European Institutions and Agencies. European Citizens' Initiative. European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) Daelocal_CY (European Citizen Initiatives) The European Citizens' Initiative.