Germany has announced its intent to focus heavily into recovery in a post-Covid world, after taking over the EU Council presidency on Wednesday.
Photo: Initiative D21 / Creative Commons Licence: CC BY-NC-ND
Other key items on their agenda include climate action, digital sovereignty and focusing on Europe’s role on the international stage.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: "This is a duty that I am looking forward to immensely, and that the entire German government is looking forward to.
"Europe needs us, just as we need Europe - not only as a historical legacy, which we were given as a present, but as a project that will lead us into the future."
EU presidency is responsible for driving forward the council’s work on EU legislation, ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda, orderly legislative process and cooperation among member states. The person taking up the role is expected to act as an honest and neutral broker.
The presidency’s motto is: “Together for Europe’s recovery” and it focuses on six key areas:
- Overcoming the consequences of the coronavirus crisis for the long-term as well as economic and social recovery.
- Ensuring a stronger and more innovative Europe
- A fairer Europe
- A sustainable future
- A Europe of security and common values
- A strong stance on the global stage
The German presidency on the EU Council says it will focus directly on overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic.
Their primary concern is fighting the spread of the virus, helping the European economy to recover and reinforcing social cohesion in Europe.
In order to achieve this, Germany says it is committed to joint approved action, European solidarity and common values.
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