Croatia takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union

The Croatian Presidency comes at a time of great changes for the European Union - at the beginning of a new institutional and legislative cycle, following the new composition of the European institutions. As well as at a time of challenges resulting from the process of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.

Croatia has prepared its six-month presidency programme built aroundfourpillars:

• Europe that develops;
• Europe that connects;
• Europe that protects;
• An influential Europe.

The four priorities are united in the motto “A strong Europe in a world of challenges”.

Of major importance for the implementation of all the Union’s policies and programmes, the most significant challenge for the Croatia Presidency is to reach an agreement on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021–2027.

In the field of competitiveness the Croatian Presidency aims at placing special emphasis on the discussion on the EU’s long-term sustainable industrial policy strategy which should be aligned with the single market strategy, the EU energy and environmental policies, notably the Green Deal, as well as the requirements of the digital era. The EU’s long-term sustainable industrial policy strategy will be presented by the European Commission in March 2020. The Croatian Presidency will have a challenging role in building cooperation and agreement among member states on a new EU long-term strategy for industrial competitiveness.