Finland to take over Presidency of the European Union

Finland’s third EU Presidency period begins on 1 July 2019. The presidency of the Council rotates in an established order among the EU Member States every six months.

The Council of the European Union, i.e. the Council of Ministers, is where the governments of the EU Member States are represented by government ministers of the Member States. The Council of Ministers meets in different ‘configurations’, depending on the subject being discussed, such as the Agriculture and Fisheries Council or the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The Member State holding the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council except in the Foreign Affairs Council, which is chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. A representative of the presidency also chairs Council meetings of working groups and experts. The European Council is chaired by a permanent chairperson.

The presidency is responsible for taking forward the Council’s work on EU legislation and policy initiatives in the Council and for ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda. In addition, the presidency represents the Council in relations with the other EU institutions, particularly with the Commission and the European Parliament.