Germany assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Croatia on 1 July. For the following six months Germany will hold the chair in the Council of the European Union and chair all Council meetings – that amounts to roughly 1,500 sittings of almost 200 workgroups and committees in addition to the meetings of ministers.

The central issue of Germany’s Council Presidency is overcoming the health, economic and social consequences of the corona pandemic. At the same time, issues that are of great importance for the future of Europe also play a role: for example, climate protection, digitalisation and Europe’s role in the world.