Spain took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU

The 18-month trio EU Term Presidency, which started with France on 1 January 2022, ended on 30 June 2023 with the expiration of the mandate of Sweden, following France and Czechia. The new trio Presidency of the EU will be assumed by Spain, Belgium and Hungary, respectively. Spain has taken over the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the next six months as of 1 July 2023.

This is the fifth time that Spain holds the EU Presidency as it last assumed the Presidency of the EU Council in 2010. At that time, a certain progress was recorded in Türkiye-EU relations and as a consequence, Chapter 12-Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy was opened to negotiations.

The motto of the Spanish Presidency is “Europe, closer”. The Presidency has four main priorities: “reindustrialise the EU and ensure its open strategic autonomy”, “advance in the green transition and the environmental adaptation” and “promoting greater social and economic justice”, “strengthening European unity”.

For further information on Spanish Presidency: https://swedish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/