It is the seventh time Denmark holds the EU Presidency since joining the European Community in 1973. Since Denmark last held the Presidency the Lisbon Treaty has come into force and the institutional landscape in the EU has changed. Firstly, the Treaty has established new institutional actors, namely the permanent President of the European Council (Herman Van Rompuy from Belgium) and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (Catherine Ashton from the UK). Secondly, Denmark is now a part of the so-called trio presidency where three presidencies work together to ensure a higher degree of coordination and consistency. Denmark joins a trio with Poland (who has the Presidency before Denmark) and Cyprus (who has the Presidency after Denmark). Thirdly, the Lisbon Treaty has given the European Parliament a more influential role as co-legislator on almost all new legislation. This means that cooperation with the Parliament and other institutions will be an important task during the Danish Presidency in 2012. The previous Danish Presidency was marked by fighting domestic violence against women. Regrettably, programme for 2012’s Presidency does not address any women’s rights-related issues.read more |
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