On 10 December 2021, France, the Czech Republic, and Sweden published their Trio work programme for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The document comprehensively covers a broad spectrum of topics that will be prioritised over the next 18 months (from 1 January 2022 until 30 June 2023).
Making Europe climate-neutral and green is one of the challenges at the top of the political agenda. The trio is determined to promote the transition to a toxic-free environment and a circular economy, support the development of sustainable products, as well as promote a more transparent taxation of energy products. Moreover, the three Presidencies will continue to work on all related legislative proposals developed by the European Commission, such as the Fit for 55 package, the Farm to Fork strategy, the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy and the new EU Forest Strategy for 2030. The trio also considers important to protect the forests outside the EU, in line with the proposal for a new regulation to minimise the risk of deforestation and forest degradation associated with products placed on the EU market.
In terms of economic recovery, the trio will focus on ensuring the successful implementation of the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Next Generation EU Programme. The three Presidencies will also develop a more integrated approach to the single market and to industrial policies. Measures are planned to diversify the current and future production and supply chains as well as to remove unjustified barriers within the single market.
On digital policies, the trio will work on the Commission's proposals on the Digital Services Package, specifically on the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, to ensure a safer online space and fairer online markets.
Finally, on health, the trio aims at finalising the negotiations on the implementation of the EU health package, including the HERA proposal (the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority). In addition, the three Presidencies will focus on the implementation of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and work on the Commission’s proposal for the establishment of a European Health Data Area.
All eyes are on what will undoubtedly be one of the most important trio presidencies of the decade, managing the substantial funds of the Recovery Plan and leading the EU towards economic recovery, while maintaining the objective of pursuing a more strategic course of action and increasing the EU's capacity to act independently to safeguard its interests, uphold its values and way of life and help shape the global future. Guaranteeing consistency, coherence and balance among conflicting objectives will be key to achieve the deliverables announced.