Trio Presidencies of the EU

On 1 July 2017, Estonia took over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU, which is the first time Estonia has held the EU Presidency since they joined the union in 2004.  Presidencies work together in groups of three, called a 'Trio Presidency’.  The trio set out some common long-term goals and topics that will be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period, aside from their  own detailed six-month programme.  The Estonian Presidency is the first phase of the current trio and will be succeeded by Bulgaria and Austria.

 The Trio Presidency programme includes the following priorities:

A UNION FOR JOBS, GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS

• Encouraging cross-border e-commerce and by moving towards a smart economy (free flow of data, review of the telecoms regulatory framework, company law initiatives)
• Strengthening trust and security in digital services (new data protection package) and updating of the cyber security strategy
• Strengthen cross-border digital public services
• Intensify the take up of electronic identification and trust services for electronic transaction (e-IDAS)
• Fair Taxation: common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB), disclosure rules for intermediaries, a definitive VAT regime and VAT on e-commerce
• Circular Economy: eco-innovative initiatives aimed at efficient use of resources, reducing environmental impacts in production and consumption, and conducting actions towards a non-toxic environment

Budget and EU Funding Priorities include:

• Multiannual Financial Framework post-2020
• Preparing the 9th Framework Programme
• The research window of the European Defence Action Plan
• Simpler rules for the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and strengthening complementarity between EU funds
• Negotiations on the future parameters post 2020 of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

A  UNION THAT EMPOWERS AND PROTECTS ALL ITS CITIZENS

• European Pillar of Social Rights
• The modernisation of education as well as equity and equality in education with a focus on transversal skills
• Updating the Social Security Coordination Regulation
• Modification of the directive concerning the posting of workers

TOWARDS AN ENERGY UNION WITH A FORWARD-LOOKING CLIMATE POLICY

• Legislative proposals of the Clean Energy for all Europeans package
• Delivering on the commitments of the Paris Agreement and the EU's 2030 targets

A UNION OF FREEDOM, SECURITY AND JUSTICE

• Improving the functionalities and interoperability of existing large scale IT systems (Eurodac, Schengen Information System, Visa Information System, European Criminal Records Information System), and introducing new ones (entry-exit system, ETIAS)
• Implementing common standards and procedures and achieving technical compatibility to better re-use existing data
• Comprehensive and integrated approach to the prevention of violent extremism
• Finalising the reform of the Common European Asylum System
• Revision of the Blue Card directive
• Establish a strong, independent and effective European Prosecutor's Office

THE UNION AS A STRONG GLOBAL ACTOR

• Establish a European Defence Fund
• Deliver on all five pillars of the Joint Valletta Action Plan
• Follow developments and the implementation of the EU-Turkey Deal
• Stepping up engagement with countries that are implementing meaningful political and economic reforms starting with Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco and Lebanon
• Preparatory work on the External Action Instruments post 2020

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