PRESIDENCY WEBSITES
The Presidency of the Council plays a vital part in the organization of the work of the institution, notably as the driving force in the legislative and political decision-making process. It has to organize and chair all meetings and work out compromises capable of resolving difficulties.
The Council is presided over for a period of six months by each
Member State
in turn, in accordance with a pre-established rota (unless a new Council decision is taken) :
|
2010
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
Spain
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
Belgium
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
Czech Republic
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
Sweden
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
Slovenia
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
France
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
Germany
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
Portugal
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
Austria
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
Finland
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
Luxembourg
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
United Kingdom
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
Ireland
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
Netherlands
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
Greece
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
Italy
|
|
2002
|
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
Spain
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
Denmark
|
|
2001
|
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
Sweden
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
Belgium
|
|
2000
|
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
Portugal
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
France
|
|
1999
|
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
Germany
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
Finland
|
|
1998
|
|
|
|
|
First half-year
|
United Kingdom
|
|
|
Second half-year
|
Austria
|