With the Danish Presidency, the baton was handed over on 1 July to the second country of the Presidency trio consisting of Poland, Denmark and Cyprus. Security and competitiveness remain key issues, but in contrast to the first half of 2025, climate protection is once again receiving greater attention. The two major overarching goals are ‘a secure Europe’ and ‘a competitive and green Europe’. In addition to further positioning itself externally, particularly in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and relations with the US, the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period after 2027 and further work on the Omnibus proposals are on the agenda. Brussels is confident that the presidency will be conducted in a professional and efficient manner.

A secure Europe

The EU should be able to defend itself by 2030. At the same time, it is important to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight for peace and freedom. To improve resilience to complex threats, it is not only the European defence industry that needs to be strengthened. It is also about the democratic resilience of European societies, including through the promotion of digital skills, a framework for trustworthy media and the regulation of tech giants. Misinformation and disinformation are to be curbed, and children and young people are to be better protected online. Other priorities remain the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, the strengthening of the EU's external borders, the establishment of sustainable partnerships with third countries, progress in the enlargement process and the reduction of economic dependencies and risks related to critical infrastructure.

A competitive and green Europe

The Danish Presidency also wants to work on improving the conditions for innovation and investment in new technologies, skills and jobs. In line with the EU's current green agenda, a close link will be established between competitiveness and climate and energy policy. In addition to improving the potential of digital technologies, the life sciences sector is now to receive more attention as a link between health and the biosciences and a potential driver of growth. The importance of the omnibus proposals has already been mentioned. Overall, better regulation is to be promoted in all Council configurations, including through better impact assessments. Within the framework of the Savings and Investment Union, the legislative proposal to amend the Securitisation Regulation and the Capital Requirements Directive is the first building block now being negotiated in the Council working groups. Promoting the supply of risk capital will also be central. From an interest policy perspective, the following topics are also particularly relevant.

Social affairs

In the social affairs area, the Danish Presidency intends to focus on the Quality Jobs Roadmap and the new action plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights. The relevant Commission documents are expected at the end of the year. The aim is to reach a conclusion on the Traineeships Directive. Negotiations on the sixth revision of the directive on the protection of workers from carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances (CMR) at work are also set to begin. A Commission proposal is expected to be presented shortly. It is unclear whether a legislative proposal on the right to disconnect, which was announced in the mission letter of Executive Vice-President Mînzatu, will also be presented. The Danish Presidency also wants to focus on Council conclusions on the self-determined life of people with disabilities, combating gender-based and domestic violence, and affordable housing.

Shaping the transition

In climate and environmental policy, the Danish Presidency is giving high priority to the negotiations on the climate target for 2040 and the update of the EU's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Climate Agreement, with decisive progress to be made by September. In the run-up to the next UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will take place in Brazil in November 2025, also Council conclusions are to be adopted, just as on the Water Resilience Strategy. With regard to the End-of-life Vehicles Regulation, a swift conclusion is being sought following the adoption of the negotiating position of the EU Parliament. Concerning the Green Claims Directive, which has recently caused a great deal of political discord, the resumption of negotiations must be explored. In the transport sector, the focus is on, among other things, the Directive on Weights and Dimensions of trucks (Gigaliners) and the Air Passenger Rights Regulation, two highly controversial initiatives. This applies no less to the planned conclusion of negotiations on New Genomic Techniques, where no progress has been made recently. In the energy sector, in light of the strategic direction of the Danish Presidency, work is being pushed forward on phasing out Russian energy imports (REPowerEU).

Economy and trade

As expected, an excessive deficit procedure was initiated against Austria at the beginning of the Danish Presidency on 8 July. Across the EU, the focus in the coming six months will be on negotiations on the next MFF, which affects several policy areas. On 16 July, the EU Commission presented a draft proposal containing, among other things, the proposal for the MFF Regulation itself and for a new own resources decision concerning the financing of the EU. By the end of 2025, the ‘elements of a negotiating box’ are to be developed as a basis for further negotiations. In addition, Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone is expected to be decided. In the area of trade policy, relations between the EU and the US and between the EU and Ukraine will dominate the debate. The EU-Mercosur agreement also remains on the agenda, as do the EU's trade relations with Mexico, Indonesia and India. Protecting the rules-based trading system and the WTO is an important goal overall.

Further information:

Council: Official website of the Danish Presidency
Council: Programme of the Danish Presidency
AK EUROPA: Poland takes over the EU Council Presidency. Focus on security
AK EUROPA: Political Guidelines for the next EU Commission 2024 - 2029. The right answers to current challenges?
AK EUROPA: Strategic Agenda 2024-2029. Imbalanced priorities