THE NETHERLANDS PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU : 1 JANUARY-30 JUNE 2016

The Netherlands Presidency work programme focuses on four key areas: 

1. Migration and international Security, 
2. Sound finances and a robust eurozone, 
3. Europe as an innovator and job creator and 
4. Forward-looking climate and energy policy.

The presidency wants an EU that focuses on what matters to Europe's citizens and businesses, an EU that creates growth and jobs through innovation and connects with civil society. The presidency will promote action at EU level only if it is more effective than policies at national level.

Themes of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the EU

A Union focused on essentials

The Netherlands believes the EU must focus on areas that will make Europe stronger, such as prosperity, freedom and security. The EU should not involve itself in matters that the Member States are perfectly capable of dealing with themselves, like health care, education, pensions and taxes.

A Union focused on growth and jobs

The Netherlands sets great store by creating new jobs and promoting an innovative economy in the EU. The Netherlands wants to achieve this by, for instance:

• removing obstacles for companies that want to do business in other Member States;
• concluding trade agreements;
• protecting workers more effectively against exploitation and unfair competition.

A Union that connects with citizens

The EU must connect with its citizens, so that they can identify with EU decisions. The government will give citizens, companies and civil society organisations an active role in the Presidency.

As one of the EU’s founding Members, the Netherlands has already been responsible for 11 Council Presidencies. This, together with its famously efficient administration, should ensure that the six months run smoothly from an organisational point of view. The Netherlands is also particularly well prepared, having consulted many stakeholders on the key issues over the past years. Hence its ministries will be very familiar with the different positions on the key dossiers and should be able to chair negotiations effectively. It might also be an advantage that the Netherlands is a relatively small but highly respected country, placed geographically and in terms of substance between three major Member States – France, Germany and the UK – which could make it an ideal broker, a position strengthened by a culture of pragmatism and problem solving. Most notably, some of the most influential EU officials in key positions are Dutch. Former Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans, First Vice President of the European Commission and in charge of its better regulation agenda, is currently one of the most powerful officials in the EU. Together with fellow Dutchman Alexander Italianer, the European Commission’s Secretary-General, Timmermans has strong influence over the actual work of the Commission.

This could prove to be of great help for the Presidency in terms of alignment with and support from the Commission and could allow for a very efficient and well-coordinated operation. The fact that Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem is currently Head of the Eurogroup and will also Chair the meetings of Economic and Financial Ministers during the Dutch Presidency might help to align policies and drive the priorities in the financial sector forward.  Last but not least, as a country that is regularly in the top ten globally in terms of competitiveness and is historically a trading nation, the Netherlands has a business-friendly reputation. With its strong sustainability agenda the Dutch presidency will be particularly supportive to green growth sectors

Business-Critical Priorities

The Dutch Presidency wants the European Union to focus on what is necessary and thereby creating a clear task division between the Member States and EU institutions. Also, the Netherlands aim at actively connecting and interacting with the European public during the presidency. The Dutch government aims to make innovation a central theme during the presidency, since it is the key driver for growth and jobs and European competitiveness.

Better regulation

The Better Regulation Agenda is critical for the Juncker Commission’s key objectives of boosting the EU’s competitiveness and regaining the trust of its citizens. This lies at the core of First Vice-President Timmerman’s mandate and it is very likely that the Dutch Presidency will strongly support this agenda. Business across all sectors has high hopes for the notion of more efficient and less burdensome regulation.

Internal Market

In accordance with the Strategic Agenda in Time of Changes of the European Commission, the Dutch Presidency is committed to stimulating economic growth in Europe. Key areas for the Dutch government are strengthening the internal market and an effective European investment agenda. The Dutch government also supports creating a level playing field for European companies through a modern and competitive industrial policy. A key focus will  be a better implementation of the Services Directive and a stimulation of national reforms to open up markets. This point might be important in the context of the Brexit discussions, as a reformed internal market for services is an important demand of the UK.

The Digital Single Market Package published in May 2015 will also be an area of focus. The Dutch government will aim to facilitate talks to remove barriers to e-commerce, guarantee cybersecurity and modernise copyright. The copyright proposal is due this autumn and the negotiations will likely be launched under the Dutch Presidency.

European Capital Markets Union

The European Capital Markets Union (CMU) is a key element of Juncker’s investment plan and essential to unlocking financing across the EU and stimulating alternatives to bank financing. During the six months of the Dutch Presidency important discussions will take place between Member States on these dossiers in which it will be critical to gain a high level of political support. Further legislative proposals following the CMU Action Plan can only be expected by the end of the Dutch Presidency.

Environment

The Dutch government will focus on three key environmental areas: climate change, circular economy and health for human beings and nature.

The Circular Economy package will certainly be one of the most impactful environmental dossiers of the Juncker Commission. The legislative element will be limited to waste and recycling targets but will however lead to very challenging negotiations as the positions of Member States are far apart. The non-legislative part will be more far reaching and concern the whole value chain. The Commission’s ambition is nothing less than to transform the whole economy. The Dutch Presidency supports this objective, the Prime Minister has stressed the importance of the Circular Economy for the Dutch and several of its largest companies such as Unilever, DMS, Heineken and Philips promote the circular economy concept. The Dutch Presidency will therefore aim to get the package to a good and ambitious start.

The Presidency will also address air pollution, drinking water, nanomaterials, endocrine disruptors and microplastics, issues that are relevant to many sectors.

Regarding air pollution the Dutch Presidency could still have to deal with the National Emission Ceilings Directive. The positions of many Member States are a long way off the latest compromise text that was prepared by the Luxembourg Presidency and it remains to be seen whether a final compromise can be reached.

Endocrine disruptors have been a critical issue for many years but even more so recently, as the Commission finalised its public consultation on defining criteria for identification. While there is currently no legislative proposal scheduled, it is likely that there will be important initiatives from several Member States to restrict the use of endocrine disrupting substances.

Decarbonisation

The Dutch Council Presidency starts just after the COP21 climate negotiations and there will be a lot of work implementing the expected global agreement. The negotiations in the Council will be fierce as the EU Member States have varying levels of dependence on fossil fuels and feel the impact of the ETS very differently. This area may be the one under the most public scrutiny

Energy Union

For the Dutch Presidency the completion of the internal energy market is the most important element of the Energy Union and in particular the question how to integrate renewable energy into the energy system. In terms of legislative dossiers it will deal with the proposal for a Regulation on Energy Labelling that was published in July 2015  and it might also chair the start of negotiations on the proposed Regulation on Security of Gas Supply.

Transport

The Dutch government strongly supports a well-functioning European transport market with a global and European level playing field and a clear framework for state aid. According to the Dutch, high quality European infrastructure requires more investment support through TEN-T. The Presidency will focus on simplifying regulation and lowering administrative burdens. The Dutch Presidency also wants to make its mark on sustainable mobility by promoting an intelligent traffic system, autonomous driving and the use of sustainable fuels such as LNG and organic kerosene. Furthermore, urban development will be a focus area that impacts environmental and transport issues and will be discussed during the combined informal Transport and Environment Council meeting

Telecommunications

Strengthening the internal telecommunications market through a free and open Internet is essential for the Dutch government. The Presidency aims to create a level playing field between incumbent companies and new market entrants by a transformation of the current telecommunications, media and Internet legislation, including the abolition of roaming mobile charges.

Health

The fight against anti-microbial resistance is gaining momentum globally and the European Commission is working on an ambitious action plan to tackle this issue. The Netherlands will seek further measures from the EU and will aim to muster support from other European leaders. This area provides important opportunities for companies as this might lead to an increase in funding. Moreover, the Netherlands wants to encourage a European approach on market access rules for medicines. The Dutch government has pledged to raise EU collaboration on drug prices during its Presidency in order to paving the way for wider co-operation between EU countries on pharmaceutical procurement and availability. The Dutch instrument of pricing arrangements could become a leader in that discussion.

Brexit

In the run up to the UK referendum on EU membership, a lot will depend on the attitude not only of the Commission and European Parliament but notably also the other EU Member States. The Dutch will hold the Presidency during these discussions. They are in favour of keeping the UK in the Union and to a certain extent agree with its call to reform certain aspects of the EU. This does not mean that the Netherlands would support all wishes of the UK, but it does mean that the Dutch Presidency will have a deep-rooted interest in coming to a positive agreement with the UK. Considering their own Presidency priorities, the Dutch are a credible partner for the UK, even when setting red lines.

Conclusion

With the legislative activity picking up, albeit less than in previous years, there are many key issues that need addressing. The Dutch seem well placed to shoulder that burden. As long as they are mindful of their tendency to be very direct, the Dutch Presidency could be a very successful one.

Key Legislative Dossiers during the Dutch presidency

• Circular Economy
• Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
• Persistant Organic Pollutants (POPs)
• ETS Effort Sharing Decision for non ETS sectors
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agriculture and Land-Use Change
• Energy Labelling
• Security of Gas Supply
• Better Regulation
• Internal Market Strategy
• Copyright Directive
• CMU
• Aviation Package
• Drones