Wednesday, 1 July 2020, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany: Croatian Foreign Minister Dr. Gordan Grlić Radman symbolically passed on the baton embodying the EU Council Presidency to his German counterpart, Heiko Maas.
Maas paid tribute to Dr. Grlić Radman for Croatia’s huge achievement in keeping the Council functioning during the Covid-19 pandemic; thus ensuring Europe was able to act even at the pandemic’s height, which was Croatia’s first presidency since joining the European Union back on 1 July 2013.
The launching of accession negotiations vis-à-vis Albania and North Macedonia is a conspicuous legacy from Croatia’s presidency whence Germany shall build upon during its term.
Germany’s presidency furthermore begins a novel tripartite block of rotating chairmanships that shall be followed by Portugal in January 2021, and Slovenia in July 2021.
For further information:
Priorities of the German EU Council Presidency: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/blob/2361330/33da95cb0900b1e4d26a44f35c9c97c0/deu-eu-rp-2020-ii-programm-en-data.pdf
German Presidency 2020: https://www.eu2020.de/eu2020-en
