From 1 July to 31 December 2025, Denmark will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Under the slogan ‘A strong Europe in a changing world’, the Danish Presidency will work for a secure Europe as well as a competitive and green Europe.
The EU is facing a new international order marked by uncertainty, global strategic and economic competition, and rising levels of conflict. That is why the EU must be able to act in its own right. The EU’s strength lies in European unity, a solid economic foundation, stable democracies, and socially balanced societies, among other things. This strength must be developed further and used to promote and defend both European interests and the international legal order. The Danish EU Presidency will work for a strong and resolute EU that takes responsibility for its own security and for strengthening its competitiveness. This calls for the EU to match words with action and deliver on the challenges it faces. The green transition is essential to building a more secure and competitive Europe.
“Denmark is taking over the EU Presidency in the midst of a new geopolitical reality, with shifting political winds blowing from the United States and an increasingly aggressive Russia. The government’s priorities for the EU Presidency have been carefully selected in response to the urgent challenges facing Europe. It is important for us to ensure that Europe will be able to defend itself ahead of 2030. And there is also an urgent need to improve Europe’s competitiveness. For these reasons, strengthening Europe’s defence and removing burdensome regulations—while simultaneously maintaining the green transition—will be two of the most important priorities for the Danish EU Presidency,” said Minister for European Affairs Marie Bjerre.
In terms of Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs, the Council will support a more competitive Europe by ensuring labour markets that are competitive and provide decent and fair working conditions, where jobs are safeguarded and the right skills for the future labour market are available.
In a time marked by global uncertainty and complex health challenges, the Danish Presidency will place focus on life science and preparedness aiming to strengthen supply security and innovation capacity in the EU, promote access to medicines across Member States and boost the resilience of the healthcare system against manmade crises and natural disasters. The Presidency will promote this balance in negotiations on matters such as the pharmaceutical package and the regulation on critical medicines.
The Presidency aims to promote social cohesion, combat social exclusion, and ensure inclusion for all citizens. The Presidency will work to ensure that rights, equality, and truly equal opportunities are realised for everyone.
The full programme is available
