From Sunday, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union officially begins, which will last from January 1 to June 30, 2023.
Posting on Saturday on its official Twitter account, the European Council bid farewell to the Czech Presidency and welcomed the Swedish one.
As noted on the official website of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, security, competitiveness, green and energy transitions, democratic values and the rule of law will be the priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2023.
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates among the Member States every six months. The country that holds the Presidency leads the work of the Council and represents all 27 Member States in negotiations with other EU institutions.
The Council of the EU is one of seven EU institutions. Its official name is the Council of the European Union – the Council for short. The Council negotiates legislation proposed by the European Commission, and decisions are often made following further negotiations with the European Parliament. The Council consists of government ministers of the EU Member States.
It is worth noting that Spain will take over the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July 1, 2023. The Republic of Cyprus will have the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.
Source: Cyprus News Agency