CROATIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

On January 1st 2020, Croatia will take over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time. For six months Croatia will be the main driving force for the tasks on the agenda of the Union.

Croatia prepared its six-month presidency program based on four priorities under the motto "Strong Europe in a World of Challenges", taking into consideration the Council's EU Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024 and the programme of the new European Commission.

1. In the context of "a Europe that develops", the Croatian Presidency will advocate for balanced, sustainable and inclusive development of the Union. The Presidency will pay particular attention to regional development, creating opportunities for rural youth, demographic challenges, gender equality and the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. Moreover, the Presidency will promote digitalisation of businesses and agriculture, competitiveness of SMEs, lifelong learning and developing skills for future jobs. Furthermore, the Croatian Presidency will continue to advance the EU agenda on climate change, in order to contribute to the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
2. Under the priority "a Europe that connects", the Croatian Presidency will focus on connectivity and networking of the economies and the maximum fulfillment of its infrastructural and human potentials. Hence, the Presidency will encourage policies aimed at infrastructural (transport, energy and digital) connectivity of the Union, as well as bringing its people together, primarily through education, culture and sports.
3. Asylum and migration policy will continue to be high up on the EU policy agenda. In the framework of "a Europe that protects", the Presidency aims to make progress in this area and to reinforce cooperation with third countries. The Presidency plans to propose a reform of the Common European Asylum System policy. Furthermore, the Presidency will prioritize the fight against organized crime, money laundering and financing terrorism and the resilience of the EU to hybrid threats, cybersecurity and disinformation.
4. The Croatian Presidency will seek to reinforce the role of the EU as a leading global actor. A special focus will be given to the Western Balkans and the enlargement strategy of the EU. The EU-Western Balkans Summit in Zagreb in May 2020 will one of the key Presidency events and will give a chance to rethink the languishing enlargement process.

Priorities

1. Balanced regional development

• Reducing diff­erences between Member States, and fostering economic and social cohesion and convergence
• Strengthening the Economic and Monetary Union and the international role of the euro
• Further development of the Capital Markets Union
• Using the potential of macro-regional cooperation
• Ensuring the equal quality of products on the markets of all Member States

2. Environmental protection and fighting climate change

• Discussions about a green Europe, including in the context of sustainable economic growth and development
• Efficient and ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement, with a financially and socially just transition to a low-carbon and circular economy
• Conservation of biodiversity, protection of the marine environment and coastal areas from pollution, and efficient water and waste management
• Promoting the sustainable forms of tourism and sustainability of coastal and island communities (small-scale fisheries, infrastructure)

3. Strengthening of competitiveness and skills

• Further deepening of the single market and strengthening the digitalisation agenda
• Strengthening the competitiveness of European industry and small and medium enterprises
• Modernisation of agriculture and rural areas
• Balanced mobility of scientists and researchers, promoting high-quality and lifelong learning and developing skills for jobs of the future
• Supporting investments in higher-value-added sectors to strengthen the economy and create quality jobs
• Stimulating the development of new, green technologies and the commercialization of innovations

4. A more satisfied and vital society

• Implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights, including work-life balance Establishing measures to stop negative demographic trends
• Promoting equality between women and men, along with empowering women in society and on the labour market
• Creating better opportunities for young people, especially in rural areas Promoting lifelong health care

5. A Single European Transport Area

• Ensuring appropriate funding for the further construction of infrastructural networks
• Improving trans-European transport networks and encouraging their further extension to neighbouring regions
• Digitalisation and innovation in all branches of the transport sector

6. High-quality and secure data infrastructure

• Establishing a functional single digital market and reducing the digital gap
• Creating conditions for the full functioning and security of 5G networks
• Organising a discussion on the legal and ethical implications of artificial intelligence and defining standards for new technologies

7. Integrated energy market

• Further establishment and implementation of the Energy Union
• Strengthening energy security (infrastructure and diversification, including renewable and low-carbon energy sources)
• Promoting the role and potential of European islands in the clean energy transition

8. Stronger connections between Union citizens

• Further strengthening the mobility of pupils, students, researchers, teachers and other staff
• Increasing mobility in the cultural and creative sector
• Promoting European cultural heritage
• Intensifying dialogue with young people
• Using sports in connecting people of all generations, strengthening of informal skills, especially of young people, and promoting a healthy lifestyle

9. Strengthening internal security

• Work on the Union’s strategic guidelines in the area of freedom, security and justice
• Cooperation among Member States in combating organised crime, money laundering and the financing of terrorism
• Protection of the financial interests of the Union and its Member States and the fight against fraud
• Prevention of the dissemination of online content promoting discrimination, violent extremism and terrorism
• Strengthening of the interoperability of IT systems in the area of justice and home aff­airs
• Strengthening of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism with a view to improving prevention, preparedness and response to disasters

10. Comprehensive and sustainable migration policy

• Strengthening the control of the Union’s external borders and ensuring the interoperability of relevant IT systems
• A coherent and comprehensive approach to the external and internal aspects of migration, including legal migration
• Reform of the Common European Asylum System
• Deepening of cooperation with third countries, including South East Europe

11. Protection of freedoms and democracy

• Return to a full and efficient functioning of the Schengen Area
• Personal data protection and protection of privacy
• A comprehensive approach to the rule of law and strengthening of the democratic principles and fundamental values of the Union

12. Strengthening resilience against hybrid threats

• Fight against all forms of hybrid threats and malicious cyber activities
• Protection of public space and critical infrastructure
• Prevention of the dissemination of fake news, intolerance and disinformation on digital platforms
• Building professional and technological capacity in the area of cyber security

13. Leading international actor

• Promoting multilateralism and an international order based on international law Promoting fundamental values in the Union’s external actions
• Taking a leading role in fighting climate change
• Safeguarding and strengthening a rules-based multilateral trade system

14. Global partner

• Promoting international development policies in support of sustainable development and the eradication of poverty
• Strategic support, fostering reform and strengthening resilience in the eastern and southern neighbourhood
• Strengthening transatlantic relations
• Intensifying relations with Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Union’s strategic partners

15. A guarantee for progress and stability in South East Europe

• Encouraging continuous reform processes in South East Europe and regional cooperation
• Continuing a credible and eff­ective enlargement policy, based on a confirmed European perspective of candidates and potential candidates from South East Europe, and on complete fulfilment of set criteria
• EU–Western Balkans Summit in Zagreb

16. Security Provider

• A strategic approach to defence and security
• Conflict prevention and crisis management in cooperation with partners Strengthening the EU's defence capabilities and defence industry
• Close cooperation and complementarity between the EU and NATO