Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Main priorities of the Croatian Presidency
From January 1 to June 30, 2020, Croatia will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time. During this six-month period, Croatia will lead the activities of the Council, building cooperation and agreement among Member States in a spirit of consensus and mutual respect.
The Croatian Presidency comes at the beginning of a new five-year institutional and legislative cycle of the EU, following the European Parliamentary elections and new compositions of the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as the appointment of the new President of the European Council.
In line with the guidelines set by the Council’s New Strategic Agenda 2019–2024 and Croatian priorities and points of reference, in accordance with the Trio programme of Romania, Finland and Croatia and under the motto “A strong Europe in a world of challenges”, Croatia has prepared a detailed six-month Programme of the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU based on four priorities:
Special attention will be given to uniform, unified and sustainable development of all Member States and their regions, aiming at creating Europe based on common values and the respect of common interests.
Priorities of the Croatian Presidency within the scope of activities of the Ministry of Finance
During the Croatian Presidency of the EU Council, the Ministry of Finance, within the ECOFIN Council, is going to pursue efforts directed towards the strengthening of the Economic and Monetary Union and deepening of the Banking Union. In addition, the activities for further development of the Capital Markets Union are going to be continued. In terms of budget issues, the planned activities include giving the discharge of the 2018 EU Budget, smooth implementation of the 2020 EU Budget, as well as the adoption of budget guidelines for 2021. The Croatian Presidency is going to make efforts to complete negotiations in the area of own resources and to fight frauds in the period between 2021 and 2027. In terms of tax issues, the emphasis is going to be put on the adjustment of the existing tax rules to the conditions of globalization and digitalization, as well as to climate changes. The goal is to establish transparent, efficient and sustainable taxation, which encourages the strengthening of growth, investments and the competitiveness of the single market. In the area of the Customs Union, Croatia has been strongly advocating the strengthening of the capacity of custom services at the external border of the Union.
During the Croatian Presidency of the EU Council, the Minister of Finance is going to chair the meetings of the ECOFIN Council, which are to be held regularly every month.
Organization of events
During the EU Council presidency, there is going to be more than 150 conferences and meetings held, whereby the Ministry of Finance will organize the following events:
From January 1 to June 30, 2020, Croatia will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time. During this six-month period, Croatia will lead the activities of the Council, building cooperation and agreement among Member States in a spirit of consensus and mutual respect.
The Croatian Presidency comes at the beginning of a new five-year institutional and legislative cycle of the EU, following the European Parliamentary elections and new compositions of the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as the appointment of the new President of the European Council.
In line with the guidelines set by the Council’s New Strategic Agenda 2019–2024 and Croatian priorities and points of reference, in accordance with the Trio programme of Romania, Finland and Croatia and under the motto “A strong Europe in a world of challenges”, Croatia has prepared a detailed six-month Programme of the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU based on four priorities:
- A Europe that is developing - the Croatian Presidency will support a balanced, sustainable and inclusive development of the Union that takes into consideration the specificities and needs of all Member States, their regions and citizens.
- A Europe that connects - the Croatian Presidency will encourage policies which strengthen infrastructural connectivity of the Union and bring together its citizens, primarily through education, culture and sports.
- A Europe that protects - the Croatian Presidency will focus on further establishing the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice, founded on common values, democracy and the rule of law.
- An influential Europe - the Croatian Presidency will strive for a continued credible and effective enlargement policy, as a pledge towards stability, security and further economic development and mutual connection on the European continent.
Special attention will be given to uniform, unified and sustainable development of all Member States and their regions, aiming at creating Europe based on common values and the respect of common interests.
Priorities of the Croatian Presidency within the scope of activities of the Ministry of Finance
During the Croatian Presidency of the EU Council, the Ministry of Finance, within the ECOFIN Council, is going to pursue efforts directed towards the strengthening of the Economic and Monetary Union and deepening of the Banking Union. In addition, the activities for further development of the Capital Markets Union are going to be continued. In terms of budget issues, the planned activities include giving the discharge of the 2018 EU Budget, smooth implementation of the 2020 EU Budget, as well as the adoption of budget guidelines for 2021. The Croatian Presidency is going to make efforts to complete negotiations in the area of own resources and to fight frauds in the period between 2021 and 2027. In terms of tax issues, the emphasis is going to be put on the adjustment of the existing tax rules to the conditions of globalization and digitalization, as well as to climate changes. The goal is to establish transparent, efficient and sustainable taxation, which encourages the strengthening of growth, investments and the competitiveness of the single market. In the area of the Customs Union, Croatia has been strongly advocating the strengthening of the capacity of custom services at the external border of the Union.
During the Croatian Presidency of the EU Council, the Minister of Finance is going to chair the meetings of the ECOFIN Council, which are to be held regularly every month.
Organization of events
During the EU Council presidency, there is going to be more than 150 conferences and meetings held, whereby the Ministry of Finance will organize the following events:
| Meeting | Date |
| Informal meeting of the EU Council for Economic and Financial Affairs | April 24-25, 2020 |
| Working Party on Financial Services | April 21-22, 2020 |
| Informal meeting of the High Level Working Party of the Directors General of Customs | April 27-29, 2020 |
| Budget Committee | May 4-6, 2020 |
| Working Party on Customs Union | May 13-15, 2020 |
| Export Credits Group | May 25-26, 2020 |
| High Level Working Party on Tax Questions | May 26-28, 2020 |
| Working Group on Implementation of State Aid Modernisation | May 22, 2020 |