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 coordination 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.

 

 


Employment and social policy priorities of the Slovak Presidency /2nd half of 2016/

On July 1, 2016 Slovakia became the presiding state of the European Union for a period of six months (July 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016). Slovakia has defined four main priorities of its presidency - an economically strong Europe, a modern single market, a sustainable migration and asylum policy, and a globally engaged Europe.

The discussions on legislation affecting the internal market have been defined as the employment and social policy priorities of the Slovak Presidency. It intends to continue the work on the free movement of workers, coordination of social security systems and review of the directive on the posting of workers. At the same time the Member States will continue the discussions on the European Accessibility Act.

The Slovak Presidency aims to achieve progress on the revision of legislation to improve the protection of employees from the risks posed by carcinogens and mutagens.

With regard to the employment policy, the Council conclusions will be prepared in order to assess the effectiveness and results of the Youth guarantee programme. Attention will be paid also to the European pillar of social rights, and discussions on the New Skills Agenda published by the Commission are scheduled.

Slovak Presidency website: http://www.eu2016.sk/en