Published: 20.08.2020.

The presiding state of the European Union (further - presidency) leads the work of the Council of the European Union (the Council of the European Union is called European Council when it brings together the heads of states of the European Union, or the Council of Ministers when the ministers of the respective fields meet). The presidency, in coordinatiaon with the European Commission, organizes the agenda of the European Council and Council of Ministers, according to the priorities set out by the presidency. The presidency is changed every 6 months in accord with the principle of rotation.

During the first six months of 2013 the Presidency of the European Union was overtaken by Ireland from Cyprus. During the term of its Presidency (1st January - 30th June 2013), in the field of employment, Ireland will focus attention on solving the issue of the youth unemployment. The Irish Presidency will actively work for solving the issue of establishing the youth guarantee which refers to an opportunity of young people to receive the offer of high quality employment, further education, traineeship or placement during a period of four months after the person has become unemployed or completed the formal education.

The Irish Presidency plans to continue intense work regarding the issues related to the Multiannual Financial Framework, in particular, the European Social Fund, the Program for Social Change and Innovation and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund.

As regards the mobility of workers, the Presidency will continue the work at the draft Directive regarding the implementation of the directive on posting workers, striving to achieve the agreement with the European Parliament. Intense work is forecasted also regarding the review of the directive of maintaining the entitlement to receive additional pension.

In the field of labour safety, the reaching of agreement with the European Parliament as regards the draft directive on the protection of workers against the risk caused by electromagnetic fields has been set as a priority issue. At the same time attention will be focused also on the issue regarding chemicals at the work place.

In the beginning of 2013 the Irish Presidency is expecting the publication of the Commission proposal of the social investment package. It is envisaged as a tool for solving the problems caused by the economic crisis, in particular, as regards the welfare of children, social inclusion and social protection. In parallel to the above the work on establishing the European Support Fund for most poor person will be continued. The Presidency will draft the Council conclusions as to the women as decision makers in mass media and initiate the review of the directive on the gender balance in company boards.

The Irish Presidency website: http://eu2013.ie/