19/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - Whereas the order of the presidencies-on-office of the EU Council has so far only been set until mid-2003 (In 2001, Sweden then Belgium, in 2002 Spain and Denmark; in the first half of 2003, Greece), the Committee of Permanent Representatives, following consultations with the Council's legal services, has moved towards an extension of the order so far followed (except of course should a new State meanwhile join the EU). The presidencies o the EU Council, without further accessions, will therefore be as follows: second half of 2003, Italy; - 2004 (year of the next Intergovernmental Conference), Ireland and the Netherlands; 2005, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom; - 2006 Austria and Germany (Germany points out that that will be an electoral year for it)); - 2007 Finland and Portugal; - 2008 France and Sweden.