The Netherlands took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU from Luxembourg on 1 January 2016. Holding the presidency for 12^th time the Netherlands is expected to set the agenda and chair all Council meetings for 6 months except the meetings of the EU Heads of State and Government and of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers. Dutch Presidency is constituted as the first pillar of the current Trio Presidency consisting of the Netherlands, Malta and Slovakia that will chair the Council until June 2017. Main priorities of the current trio has been specified as the growth and competitiveness; employment; Energy Union; freedom, security and justice; enhancing the EU’s role as a global actor and the empowerment and security of the citizens of the EU.

Priorities of the Dutch Presidency

As one of the founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community, the Netherlands has hosted key meetings which have laid down the legal foundations and the main pillars of the Union throughout the institutional history of the Europe. Starting from January 2016, the Dutch Presidency aims to put a special emphasis on the essentials of the EU and the value of these essentials.

It is foreseen to emphasize on the concept of the EU citizenship and thus to enhance the participation of the EU citizens in decision-making process and of the civil society in the EU system during the Dutch Presidency.  During these turbulent times that the Schengen system has been brought into question, Dutch Presidency has four main priorities:

- Migration and international security

- Innovation for growth and employment

- Forward-looking energy and climate policy

- Sound finances and robust Eurozone.

These priorities will be negotiated and discussed in detail during the Dutch Presidency with the organization of various events scheduled to take place in Amsterdam and Hague as well as in Brussels. Some of the ministerial level meetings are expected to take place in Amsterdam Maritime Museum, and the other meetings of officials are expected to take place in Amsterdam Harbor. A visitors’ center has been established near Presidency venue in Amsterdam to increase civil society’s participation during the Presidency.