Germany and Europe

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.

At a glance

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.

Trio-Council Presidency seeks to strengthen Europe

From July 2020 onwards, first Germany, then Portugal and subsequently Slovenia will hold the EU Council Presidency for six months each – as a Trio Council Presidency.

Insights

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”.

Europe’s Green Deal

The European Union’s “Green Deal” provides a masterplan for a just transition to a sustainable, climate-friendly future.

Advocate of European integration

Germany is one of the founding European Union member states and even in difficult times supports European cohesion.

Franco-German friendship – a driving force

Germany and France share an eventful history. As partners they feel themselves particularly responsible for the future of Europe.

The five EU countries with the most inhabitants

m. (Source: Eurostat)

Inhabitants

Germany	Off	germany	83
France	Off	france	67
Italy	Off	italy	60,4
Spain	Off	spain	46,9
Poland	Off	poland	38

The four biggest countries in the EU

km² (Source: Eurostat)

Biggest countries

France	Off	france	633186
Spain	Off	spain	505944
Sweden	Off	sweden	438574
Germany	Off	germany	357376

The five largest economies in the EU

bn euros (Source: Eurostat)

Economies

Germany	Off	germany	3344
France	Off	france	2353
Italy	Off	italy	1765
Spain	Off	spain	1202
Netherlands	Off	netherlands	774

Germany’s five most important trading partners in the EU

bn euros (Source: Destatis)

Trading partners

France	Off	france	172
Netherlands	Off	netherlands	190
Italy	Off	italy	125
Austria	Off	austria	110
Poland	Off	poland	123

The five biggest contributors in the EU

bn euros (Source: EU Commission) *Since 2020 no longer a member of the EU.

Contributors

Germany	Off	germany	25,27
France	Off	france	20,57
Italy	Off	italy	15,22
Spain	Off	spain	10,31
Great Britain *	Off	united-kingdom	13,46

Fields of political action

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.

Joint European action

With regard to foreign and security policy, Germany champions a united stance.

European answers to questions concerning the future

Europa has ambitious goals when it comes to climate protection. The European partners also intend to shape digital transformation and the future of research together.

European Union Training Mission (EUTM) Mali

German security policy in the framework of the EU

With its missions, the EU contributes to peace and stability the world over. Germany makes an important contribution to it.

The EU and its partners

The European Union maintains close and friendly ties with its neighbours.

Timeline

Europe

The most important steps along the path to a united Europe and other significant stages of the partnership.

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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.

Brexit Flaggen EU und Großbritannien — © dpa

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.