Europe at work - priorities of the Danish Presidency

The Danish Presidency is determined to contribute to helping Europe out of the crisis and to getting it back on track. That was Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt's message on 18 January when she gave a presentation to the European Parliament on the Presidency's programme for the next six months.

© European Union

Economic governance must ensure robust public finances as the basis for a sustainable future that is  ready to embrace change and allows increased competitiveness. However, spending restraint should not prevent growth and job creation, increased competitiveness and innovation. Helle Thorning-Schmidt emphasised youth unemployment as a key issue to be tackled.

The Danish Presidency will promote a greener Europe, making the most of the potential for developing businesses and jobs linked to the environment. This goes hand in hand with initiatives in  energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The safety and freedom of citizens will be on the agenda, too: the fight against terrorism and cross-border crime, immigration and border management. One of the first decisions taken by the newly formed Danish government was to abolish the border controls between Denmark and Germany, and Denmark and Sweden, that had been introduced under the former government.

At the subsequent press conference, the Prime Minister declared that she and Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Council, agree that the informal meeting of the European Council on 30 January should also be devoted to growth and job creation.

More information:
Speech by Helle Thorning-Schmidt (pdf)
Presentation of and comments to the Danish Presidency's programme in the European Parliament
Press conference in the European Parliament