In the second half of 2020 Germany will assume the Presidency of the EU Council and will play a strong role in helping shape the European Union’s future face.
The German EU Council Presidency
From 1 July 2020 onwards, Germany will for six months assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The focus will be not only on overcoming the Coronavirus pandemic but also on important future topics such as realizing the Green Deal, expanding digitisation, and strengthening cooperation with our neighbours.
Germany – Strong Partner in the EU
The cohesion of the European Union forms the basis for the Member States’ peace, security and prosperity. As one of the founding EU Member States, German actively advocates “more Europe”.
Europakarte
The five EU countries with the most inhabitants |
m. (Source: Eurostat) | Inhabitants | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | Germany | Off | germany |
| 67 | France | Off | france |
| 60,4 | Italy | Off | italy |
| 46,9 | Spain | Off | spain |
| 38 | Poland | Off | poland |
The four biggest countries in the EU |
km² (Source: Eurostat) | Biggest countries | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 633186 | France | Off | france |
| 505944 | Spain | Off | spain |
| 438574 | Sweden | Off | sweden |
| 357376 | Germany | Off | germany |
The five largest economies in the EU |
bn euros (Source: Eurostat) | Economies | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3344 | Germany | Off | germany |
| 2353 | France | Off | france |
| 1765 | Italy | Off | italy |
| 1202 | Spain | Off | spain |
| 774 | Netherlands | Off | netherlands |
Germany’s five most important trading partners in the EU |
bn euros (Source: Destatis) | Trading partners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 172 | France | Off | france |
| 190 | Netherlands | Off | netherlands |
| 125 | Italy | Off | italy |
| 110 | Austria | Off | austria |
| 123 | Poland | Off | poland |
The five biggest contributors in the EU |
bn euros (Source: EU Commission) *Since 2020 no longer a member of the EU. | Contributors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25,27 | Germany | Off | germany |
| 20,57 | France | Off | france |
| 15,22 | Italy | Off | italy |
| 10,31 | Spain | Off | spain |
| 13,46 | Great Britain * | Off | united-kingdom |
Shaping Europe’s future
Germany supports even more intensive European cooperation when it comes to foreign and security policy, not to mention research, digitization and climate protection.
Europe
The most important steps along the path to a united Europe and other significant stages of the partnership.
The European unification process begins. The signing of the Treaties of Rome by Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands marks the foundation of the European Economic Community (EEC).
Europeans vote together. The Members of the European Parliament, which sits in Strasbourg and Brussels, are directly elected for the first time. They had previously been delegated by the national parliaments.
Europe’s union becomes tangible for its citizens. In Schengen in Luxembourg, Germany, France and the Benelux countries agree to end internal border controls. Other countries follow.
Europe gives itself a common currency. In initially 12 EU member states, the cash euro is introduced; it had served as book money since 1999. The new European Central Bank (ECB) is based in Frankfurt/Main.
On 1 May Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Malta, and Cyprus join the EU. Bulgaria and Romania follow three years later; Croatia in 2013.
The EU presents a united front to the world. The Lisbon Treaty institutionalises the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) to a greater extent. The Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy chairs the Foreign Affairs Council and simultaneously serves as Vice President of the European Commission. He is supported by the recently established European External Action Service (EEAS).
The EU decides to introduce the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). In the light of the lessons learned from the financial crisis it will, under strict conditions, support members who have got into difficulty. Furthermore, the EU receives the Nobel Peace Prize. German politician Martin Schulz becomes President of the European Parliament and remains in office until 2017.
Likewise in response to the financial crisis, the Banking Union is created. The same regulations now apply for financial institutes throughout Euroland. They are intended to guarantee that banks only take minimal risks and that possible burdens on taxpayers are reduced.
As its President, Ursula von der Leyen becomes the first woman to head the EU Commission. She is the second German in the position following Walter Hallstein, who was in office from 1958 until 1967.
At the end of January Great Britain leaves the EU. “Brexit” is the result of a referendum held in 2016. EU regulations continue to apply for Great Britain for a transition period lasting until the end of 2020.
