The Czech Republic, which is set to take over the rotating presidency of the EU Council on 1 July, has indicated that it intends to focus on the single market and tackle the future Single Market Emergency Instrument (SMEI) and the EU Chips Act, according to information gathered on Monday 20 June.
The Czech Republic wants to put the single market at the top of its agenda. An informal meeting dedicated to the internal market will be held in Prague on 19 and 20 July. The Czech Republic also intends to move quickly on the SMEI proposal under its mandate, it told national delegations - an issue of great concern in some capitals (see EUROPE 12969/12).
On this matter, the Czech Republic will pay particular attention to cooperation between the EU and third countries. This is an important point, on the one hand to disseminate European standards on the international scene, and on the other hand to guarantee the Union a supply of strategic products and raw materials, in Prague’s view. On the semiconductor proposal, the Czech Republic hopes to conclude a general approach in December (see EUROPE 12959/20).
Under its mandate, the new Presidency intends to organise two meetings of the Competitiveness Council, to be held on 29 September and 1 December respectively. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)