Program of the Dutch Council Presidency

Program of the Dutch Council Presidency

The Netherlands took over the Council Presidency of the EU on 1 January 2016 and will hold it until the end of June 2016. Having presented its programme for the coming six months, these overarching priorities have been highlighted:

  1. A comprehensive approach to migration and international security;
  2. Europe as an innovator and job creator;
  3. Sound, future-proof European finances and a robust euro zone;
  4. Forward-looking policy on climate and energy.

With regard to sport policy, the Presidency will put the integrity of sport on the agenda, in line with the EU Work Plan for Sport 2014-2017. The focus will be on the organization and legacy-building of major international sporting events, in particular looking at how this can be done with positive social, economic and sustainable returns that can generate public support. The Presidency will work closely with the sports sector and organize different events to promote anti-doping, good governance and transparency in sport.
A general objective related to sport will be the integration of migrants and the role of education and youth work in combating youth radicalization. The Presidency underlines the importance of sport as a tool to engage with young people.

Other policy issues relevant for sport are the following:

  • In the area of education the Netherlands Presidency will give priority to employability and the development of knowledge and skills. One key focus of attention is the modernization of higher education and vocational training.
  • Discussion of the European Commission’s new Skills Agenda in its 2016 Work Program, which aims at promoting investment in skills development. 
  • With regard to culture, media and the creative industries the Netherlands Presidency will strive for a debate and Council conclusions on the infrastructure and platforms required for European digital heritage.
  • Promoting the circulation of European audiovisual productions and the modernization of copyright as part of the Digital Single Market Strategy.
  • Advancement of negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). 
  • Promoting gender equality and health issues.

In addition, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta, which will hold the next three Presidencies of the EU Council (known collectively as the Trio Presidency), have drawn up an 18-month agenda focusing on the integrity of sports, sports diplomacy and volunteering in sports. The challenge of migration and refugees will remain high on the agenda for the Dutch, Slovak and Maltese Presidencies and sport will play an important tool in this context.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Program of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union 

 

 

Recent Posts

European Commission launches #BeActive Awards 2023 competition

On 16 March, the European Commission opened the submission for the #BeActive Awards 2023. The #BeActive Awards 2023 are designed to celebrate organisations and projects that have thrivingly promoted sport and physical activity throughout Europe. The #BeActive Awards 2023  includes four categories: Across Generations award: this award, first launched in 2022, is intended to honour […]

Read More
MEPs address UEFA & IOC on exclusion of Belarusian athletes from EURO 2024 & Paris 2024

On 14 March, 104 MEPs addressed a letter to UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin opposing the participation of Belarus at the EURO 2024 qualifiers. The MEPs, from all the main political groups, called on the European football governing body to ban Belarus from EURO 2024 qualifying matches due to the regime’s abuse of human rights. As […]

Read More
MEPs host exhibition on e-sports and videogames

On 7 March, an exhibition on e-sports and videogames was held in the European Parliament building in Brussels, hosted by MEP Laurence Farreng (Renew) with the support of the S&D, the EPP, the Greens, and the International Software Federation of Europe (ISFE). Several MEPs made an intervention, highlighting e-sports as a rapidly developing sector with […]

Read More

Related Posts

March 17, 2023
European Commission launches #BeActive Awards 2023 competition

On 16 March, the European Commission opened the submission for the #BeActive Awards 2023. The #BeActive Awards 2023 are designed to celebrate organisations and projects that have thrivingly promoted sport and physical activity throughout Europe. The #BeActive Awards 2023  includes four categories: Across Generations award: this award, first launched in 2022, is intended to honour […]

March 17, 2023
MEPs address UEFA & IOC on exclusion of Belarusian athletes from EURO 2024 & Paris 2024

On 14 March, 104 MEPs addressed a letter to UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin opposing the participation of Belarus at the EURO 2024 qualifiers. The MEPs, from all the main political groups, called on the European football governing body to ban Belarus from EURO 2024 qualifying matches due to the regime’s abuse of human rights. As […]

March 13, 2023
MEPs host exhibition on e-sports and videogames

On 7 March, an exhibition on e-sports and videogames was held in the European Parliament building in Brussels, hosted by MEP Laurence Farreng (Renew) with the support of the S&D, the EPP, the Greens, and the International Software Federation of Europe (ISFE). Several MEPs made an intervention, highlighting e-sports as a rapidly developing sector with […]

About us

The EOC EU Office is the House of European Sport, representing the European Olympic Committees (EOC), the IOC and other major sport organisations to the European institutions in Brussels.
CONTACT
crossmenu linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram