Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union refers to the responsibility of presiding over all aspects of the Council of the European Union, when exercised collectively by a government, on a pre-established rota of the member states, of the European Union. The Presidency, which is sometimes called the European Presidency, has as its primary responsibility to organize and chair all meetings of the Council. However, working out compromises capable of resolving difficulties is in practice also a primary responsibility.The post as President of the Council of the European Union is for each separate meeting held by the responsible government minister of the member state holding the Presidency. Separate from the Council of the European Union there is also the European Council, which meets at European summits at about four times per year. The task as President of the assembled European Council, is similarly performed by the head of government or head of state of the member state holding the Presidency.
| 1998 | First half-year | United Kingdom |
| Second half-year | Austria | |
| 1999 | First half-year | Germany |
| Second half-year | Finland | |
| 2000 | First half-year | Portugal |
| Second half-year | France | |
| 2001 | First half-year | Sweden |
| Second half-year | Belgium | |
| 2002 | First half-year | Spain |
| Second half-year | Denmark | |
| 2003 | First half-year | Greece |
| Second half-year | Italy | |
| 2004 | First half-year | Ireland |
| Second half-year | Netherlands | |
| 2005 | First half-year | Luxembourg |
| Second half-year | United Kingdom | |
| 2006 | First half-year | Austria |
| Second half-year | Finland |
External links
