I- INTRODUCTION
A member of the EU since 2004, of the Schengen Zone since December 2007 and of the Eurozone since January 2009, Slovakia, a central European country with 5.5 million inhabitants, will be taking the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time ever in the second half of 2016.
This Presidency comes at a time when the European Union is sailing in strong adverse winds: a rise of Euroscepticism, even of Europhobia, the consequences of the victory of the Leave vote on the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU in the British referendum, ongoing terrorist threat and management of the migration challenge.
The Slovak Presidency of the Council can see the importance of providing the European citizens with concrete results in order to restore their confidence in the European project, whilst Slovakia holds the record for the highest rate of abstention in European elections, with 84% of the electorate not turning out in 2014 to vote in their 13 members of the European Parliament.
“We are aware of the enormous expectations of Europe. In Slovakia, the citizens expect European integration to produce tangible and specific results for our citizens”, stressed the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Miroslav Lajcak. He went on to say that the Slovak Presidency will focus on common projects that will generate direct benefits for the daily lives of European citizens.
According to the Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, the British referendum shows the Union's inability clearly to communicate the advantages it gives the citizens.
Another Slovak ambition is to overcome the fragmentation between the member states. “We aim to help to get rid of, to overcome fragmentation”, said the Slovak Secretary of State for European Affairs, Ivan Korcok. “We will seek to find solutions that are acceptable to all member states and which are beneficial to the EU as a whole”, Lajcak added.
The Presidency-in-exercise of the Council has therefore defined four priority areas for action: migration; - strengthening the European economy; - updating and deepening the single market; - and the EU's commitment in the world.
According to the document which announces its working programme for the next six months, “the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the EU is confident that achieving progress in these priority areas will contribute to the coherence of the EU and will help restore the trust of citizens in the Union”. Bratislava will implement solutions that respond to the current requirements whilst building in long-term perspectives, in order to move from crisis management to making the strategic vision of the EU a reality.
Facing the unknown as a result of the British referendum.
The Slovak government waited until the results of the British referendum had been announced before deciding on the priorities of the Presidency of the Council (EUROPE 11580). It will manage the consequences, both practical and political, of the victory of those in favour of the UK leaving the EU. So far, no date has been given for the notification of Article 50 of the Treaty, which will trigger the negotiation process for an EU country to leave.
“We had to prepare for the unexpected and we hope that our energy will not be taken up in crisis management”, Lajcak explained. According to European source, the Slovak Presidency wants to send out the message that the EU will not stop, that a long-term strategy for European integration will be defined by 27 countries. Following an initial informal meeting at the end of June (EUROPE 11583), a second meeting of the 27 member states is scheduled to be held in Bratislava on Friday 16 December, to discuss the future of the EU. Fico himself feels that getting out of the 'Brussels bubble' will help to breathe new life into the discussions.
Lajcak states that Slovakia wants to give back to the EU what the EU has given since 2004. “The Presidency is the culmination of our voyage of integration. We are at the heart of Europe. And we are grateful, because it has given us a lot. Now is the time to start giving back”, he said. “Slovakia will be an honest broker, a credible player, a visionary manager, an impartial negotiator and a fair mediator”, the Foreign Minister pledged.
However, Prime Minister Fico warns that there will be no question of any let-up in Slovakia's positions, many of which are very clear cut, particularly regarding the migration crisis. The Social Democrat, who has come under pressure from the extreme right-wing party SNS which is a member of the government coalition, controversially stated that his country and Islam were incompatible. Slovakia and Hungary have taken a challenge to the Court of Justice of the EU against the European rules laying down quotas for the relocation of refugees trapped in Greece and Italy (EUROPE 11400). A referendum on this issue will incidentally be held in Hungary, in early October.
II) PRIORITIES OF THE PRESIDENCY
1) Towards a sustainable migration policy
The management of the migration challenge is a major issue for the Slovak presidency of the Council. “It is clear to us all that migration will remain an urgent issue during our Presidency”, said Lajcak, who calls for “global solutions bringing together all internal and external aspects”. According to Fico, “migration has the potential to become a subject of divisions” between member states, but “Slovakia intends to create enough room for the discussions and avoid exacerbating the differences”.
One of the foremost aims of the Presidency is to return the Schengen zone for the free movement of people back to full functioning, on the basis of the Commission's roadmap (EUROPE 11505), with several countries having reintroduced controls on their borders. Bratislava argues that this aim can only be met if the European Union is capable of properly managing its external borders. Therefore, the Slovak Presidency intends to get the European bodyguard and coastguard corps (EUROPE 11588) up and running and conclude the legislative procedure regarding the 'smart borders' package. “The entry/exit system will give us a better overall view of the third-country nationals who are entering and leaving EU territory. Including irregular migrants”, said Lajcak, who went on to say that effective cooperation with the third countries of origin and of transit must also be set in place.
The reform of the Dublin asylum system is another priority of the Presidency. However, this is also a delicate issue for Bratislava, which opposes an obligatory distribution of refugees within the Union with the possibility of financial penalties (EUROPE 11545).
Another focus area is legal migration, particularly regarding the facilitation of arrivals of “highly qualified migrants where they are needed for our growing economies”, Lajcak explained. The Slovak Presidency will therefore pursue negotiations on the proposed “blue card” directive, with the aim of reaching a partial political agreement (EUROPE 11567).
Although internal security is first and foremost a responsibility of the member states, the Presidency will encourage an effective and coordinated response at European level. This will call for a better exchange of information, a reinforcement of operational capacities and coordination between the police and judicial authorities of the member states.
2) Strengthening the European economy
The Slovak Presidency intends to support an environment which is conducive to investment, economic growth and job creation. “Our emphasis will be on a triangle: the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the Capital Markets Union and the EU budget”, explained Foreign Minister Lajcak.
According to Secretary of State for European Affairs Korcok, Bratislava plans to work on deepening Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), which needs “an additional shot in the arm”. Although the Eurozone is “far better equipped” than previously to manage future crises, “there are still considerable shortcomings in the architecture of EMU”, Lajcak added. The Slovak Presidency will support actions that will give decisive momentum to the completion of EMU, on the basis of the so-called report of the 'five presidents' of June 2015.
Bratislava will pay particular attention to building the budgetary pillar of EMU, whilst making efforts to take discussions on the necessary implementation of long-term measures to the next level. “We would like an open discussion on what can be done with tax integration”, the Secretary of State added. The Presidency will pay increased attention to the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion by strengthening tax transparency.
The Capital Markets Union is another Slovak priority. “A true single market for capital will lead to new sources of cross-border financing. It will make life easier for businesses, which depend enormously on the banking sector”, Lajcak said. Slovakia will pick up where the Dutch Presidency of the first half of 2016 left off on this subject and make progress on the legislative initiatives already put forward, such as the directive to revitalise the markets for securitised products. Slovakia also hopes to find innovative funding for businesses.
As regards Banking Union in the Eurozone (EUROPE 11575), the Slovak Presidency will continue negotiations on the European deposit insurance system (EDIS) as a “key element in improving the protection of depositors and to guarantee financial stability”. It will work on the implementation of new measures aiming to reduce risks in the banking sector, in line with the roadmap concluded in June by the European finance ministers.
Arguing that the EU must continue its efforts to stimulate private investment, the Slovak Presidency intends to take steps to increase the investment potential of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). In the autumn, the Commission is to present a proposal to extend the term of the 'Juncker' investment plan beyond 2018. “The Union must continue to pursue efforts to boost private investment [and this must also] be accompanied by continued structural reforms in efforts to improve the investment environment in Europe”, the Presidency states.
Like all of the Presidencies of the Council which fall in the second half of the year, Slovakia will seek to have the annual budget of the EU, this time for 2017, adopted. Bratislava will also be involved in the mid-term review of the multi-annual financial framework 2014-2020 (MFF), for which it will focus its efforts on simplifying the rules on the principal policies financed by the EU budget. The 2017 budget and the MFF “must better reflect the priorities of the EU”, the Foreign Minister said.
The Slovak Presidency also intends to continue the reform of the cohesion policy, assess the impact of this and hold a debate on ways of increasing the value added by the European structural and investment funds post-2020.
3) The modernisation and deepening of the Single Market
The Slovak Presidency of the Council will continue with the deepening of the single market, particularly in the digital and energy sectors. Achieving this will “underpin the competitiveness and innovative potential of our economies, and consumer confidence and single market”, it says.
One of the Presidency's objectives is to give citizens and businesses the option to 'move' freely in the digital area and to promote the “free movement of data (…) as a fifth freedom”. Bratislava argues that digitisation and electronic trade open up new opportunities, which have not been sufficiently exploited. It therefore hopes to make rapid progress in implementing the package on the digital single market, which was presented in late May 2015 (EUROPE 11558). “Removing obstacles to the portability of data, geographical blocking and international roaming are our priority”, said Lajcak. However, a high level of consumer protection will need to be preserved.
The Slovak Presidency also aims to work on the creation of a sustainable, reliable and competitive Energy Union. This is because, the Foreign Minister said, “reinforcing internal energy security, better regional cooperation and strengthening solidarity are vital tools in reducing Europe's energy dependency”.
Slovakia will also pursue an ambitious climate policy, featuring the adaptation of the emissions trading system. It also aims to encourage the development of measures for a transition to a 'circular economy', incorporating production, consumption, waste management and recycling of raw materials. Attention will also be paid to water management.
4) Reinforced commitment of Europe on the global stage
A fourth priority area for action is a reinforced commitment of Europe on the world stage.
The Presidency, in support of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, hopes to reinforce the common foreign and security policy. Slovakia intends to work on implementing and developing the global European strategy on a common foreign and security policy, which was presented by Federica Mogherini at the end of June. According to its programme, the Presidency will seek to reinforce links between internal and external security, and between security and development policy.
Bratislava describes itself as a “fervent proponent” of a more effective and preventative European neighbourhood policy (ENP), which will aim to stabilise the neighbourhood and develop relations that take account of common interests and needs, whilst respecting the principle of reinforced differentiation. “In the East, we will place a great deal of emphasis on stabilisation and reform processes”, including, where applicable, by implementing association agreements and visa liberalisation, the Slovak Foreign Minister, Miroslav Lajcak, explained. For the southern neighbourhood, the Presidency will focus, amongst other things, on the countries that contribute to the migration flows to Europe, notably by negotiating readmission agreements for irregular migrants, development aid and the continuation of humanitarian aid.
Slovakia, which joined the EU in 2014, will remind the Council and the European Commission that the process of enlargement cannot be neglected. Lajcak firmly believes that the enlargement policy is one of the most effective socio-economic transformation tools, as well as an important instrument to stabilise the neighbourhood of the EU. Bratislava hopes to “preserve the momentum and credibility” of the process.
In the field of development cooperation, the Presidency will focus on progress in implementing Agenda 2030 and on discussions on the future of relations with the 'Africa, Caribbean and Pacific' group of states.
The Presidency will also “actively” engage in reinforcing transatlantic links and in the development of relations with other strategic partners. Amongst other things, the Foreign Minister hopes that Russia will be recognised as a “strategic reality”. He argues that the member states should avoid, on the dossier, sanctions related to the crisis in eastern Ukraine. He criticised the “ideological” position that certain states tend towards, describing certain Western European countries as “hypocritical” and various Central and Eastern European countries as “unrealistic”.
Emphasis will also be laid on the deepening of the EU's cooperation with international organisations, including NATO.
Stressing that free trade is an important stability factor, Lajcak said that his country is an open economy favourable to free trade. The Presidency is therefore prepared to support the European Commission in achieving an ambitious, global and balanced TTIP agreement with the United States, which also guarantees a high level of standards. Bratislava also hopes to make progress in finalising the agreement with Canada (CETA) and in free-trade negotiations with Japan.
III - TIMETABLE
July
4-7 - Plenary of the European Parliament(Strasbourg)
6-8 - Informal Justice-Home Affairs (Bratislava)
10-12 - Informal Environment (Bratislava)
11 - Eurogroup (Brussels)
12 - ECOFIN (Brussels)
12-13 - Informal TTE 'Energy' (Bratislava)
13-15 - Informal EPSCO (Bratislava)
17-19 - Informal Competitiveness (Bratislava)
18 - Foreign Affairs Council (Brussels)
18 - Agriculture - Fisheries Council (Brussels)
22 - ECOFIN budget (Brussels) (tbc)
24-25 - General Affairs Council (Brussels)
September
2-3 - Gymnich (informal foreign affairs) (Bratislava)
7 - Informal Foreign Affairs 'Development' (Bratislava)
9 - Eurogroup (Bratislava)
9-10 - Informal ECOFIN (Bratislava)
11-13 - Informal Agriculture-Fisheries (Bratislava)
12-15 - Plenary of the European Parliament (Strasbourg)
20 - General Affairs Council (Brussels)
22-23 - Informal 'Foreign Affairs' Trade (Bratislava)
26 - Justice-Home Affairs Council (Brussels) (tbc)
26-27 - Informal Defence (Bratislava)
29 - Competitiveness Council 'Industry' (Brussels)
30 - Competitiveness Council 'Research' (Brussels)
October
3-6 - Plenary of the European Parliament (Strasbourg)
3-4 - Informal EPSCO 'Health' (Bratislava)
10 - Eurogroup (Luxembourg)
10-11 - Agriculture-Fisheries Council (Luxembourg)
11 - ECOFIN (Luxembourg)
13 - EPSCO Council 'Social' (Luxembourg)
13-14 - Justice-Home Affairs Council (Luxembourg)
14 - TTE Council 'Transport' (Luxembourg)
17 - Foreign Affairs Council (Luxembourg)
17 - Environment Council (Luxembourg)
13 - General Affairs Council (Luxembourg)
20-21 - European Council (Brussels)
24-27 - Plenary of the European Parliament (Strasbourg)
November
7 - Eurogroup (Brussels)
8 - ECOFIN (Brussels)
11 - Foreign Affairs Council 'Trade' (Brussels)
14 - Foreign Affairs Council (Brussels)
14-15 - Agriculture-Fisheries Council (Brussels)
15 - Foreign Affairs Council 'Defence' (morning) (Brussels)
15 - General Affairs Council (afternoon) (Brussels)
16 - General Affairs Council 'Cohesion' (Brussels)
16 - ECOFIN 'Budget' (Brussels)
18 - Justice-Home Affairs Council (Brussels) (tbc)
21-24 - Plenary of the European Parliament (Strasbourg)
21 - EYCS Council 'Education and Youth (Brussels)
21 - Eurogroup (Brussels) (tbc)
22 - EYCS Council 'Culture and Sport' (Brussels)
28 - Foreign Affairs Council 'Development' (Brussels)
28 - Competitiveness Council 'Industry' (Brussels)
29 - Competitiveness Council 'Research' (Brussels)
30 - Mini-session of the European Parliament (Brussels)
December
1 - Mini-session of the European Parliament (Brussels)
1 - TTE Council'Transport' (Brussels)
2 - TTE Council'Telecoms' (Brussels)
5 - TTE Council'Energy' (Brussels)
5 - Eurogroup (Brussels)
6 - ECOFIN (Brussels)
8 - EPSCO Council 'Social' (Brussels)
8-9 - Justice-Home Affairs Council (Brussels)
9 - EPSCO Council 'Health' (Brussels)
14-17 - Plenary of the European Parliament (Strasbourg)
12 - Foreign Affairs Council (Brussels)
12-13 - Agriculture-Fisheries Council (Brussels)
13 - General Affairs Council (Brussels)
15-16 - European Council (Brussels)
19 - Environment Council (Brussels)