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European Union

The German EU Presidency

On Jan. 1, Germany took the presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Union, the bloc's main decision-making body. For six months, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be charged with conducting the EU's business and finding answers to tough questions, such as further expansion and the union's ongoing constitutional crisis.

Other issues the German presidency plans to focus on include securing Europe's future energy supplies, cutting down on bureaucracy, and climate control.

Get more background information on the challenges for Germany's EU presidency in this DW-WORLD.DE dossier.

Discover Europe: Get detailed information about 49 European countries from DW-WORLD.DE's interactive map. Click on the icon to the left to start exploring.

Service

A Dummy's Guide to the EU

If you think that CAP is something to wear, OLAF is a man's name, and are completely lost when it comes to PSC, DW-WORLD.DE's EU dictionary may be able to help you out. 

Foreign Relations

Merkel Seeks Closer US-EU Economic Cooperation

In front of a trip to Washington, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in an interview published on Wednesday she wants to see "ever-closer economic cooperation" between the European Union and the United States. (03.01.2007) 

France, Germany, Poland Call for Equal Partnership With Russia

The leaders of France, Germany and Poland on Tuesday called for "an equal partnership" between Russia and the EU, and for the resolution of a trade row between Moscow and Warsaw. (05.12.2006) 

Plans for 2007

Commission Proposes EU-Wide Green Card for Migrants

Up to now many European countries have fiercely opposed EU interference in their labor markets. Now a new pan-European Green Card scheme is reportedly in the pipeline. (09.01.2007) 

German FM: Kosovo Biggest Problem Right Now

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned Sunday that stability in the Balkans depended on how the future status of Kosovo is resolved and said the EU will work to ensure peace in the Serbian province. (07.01.2007) 

Germany Determined to Strengthen European Police Agency

Germany's security policy during its EU presidency aims to give Europol additional powers in order to better fight international terrorism and cross-border crime. It also calls for improved police cooperation. (04.01.2007) 

New Agreement Lets Some EU Fish Off the Hook

The European Union will tighten fishing quotas for some endangered species. But environmental groups say the 2007 quotas will mean disaster for threatened fish such as cod and anchovies. (21.12.2006) 

EU Energy

Russia Turns Europe's Oil Tap Back On

Russia and Belarus have resolved a three-day dispute over oil transports in a key pipeline that provides fuel to Europe. Oil was once again reaching Germany by Thursday morning. (11.01.2007) 

EU Unveils Major New Energy Policy

The European Commission unveiled sweeping plans Wednesday to diversify EU energy sources, slash carbon emissions by 20 percent and enforce rules for fuel competition. (10.01.2007) 

EU Study Warns of Catastrophe if Global Warming Not Curbed

An EU study on climate change to be released Wednesday has warned of drought-like conditions, catastrophic damage to business and tens of thousands of dead if urgent steps aren't taken to check global warming. (10.01.2007) 

Reader Response: "Europe Needs Energy Independence"

Oil supplies from Russia to Europe were disrupted this week, and the EU unfurled a revamped energy policy. DW readers wrote in with their thoughts and suggestions on Europe's energy woes. (10.01.2007) 

An Expanding Europe

European Papers Give Cool Reception to New EU Members

European commentators on Tuesday had mixed reactions about Bulgaria and Romania's entry into the European Union. (02.01.2007) 

Pumping up the Volume of Europe's Multilingualism

The European Union has a New Year's challenge: to assimilate three new languages in 2007. The EU, already burdened with 20 official languages, officially promotes linguistic diversity but often defaults to English. (01.01.2007) 

New Year Rings in EU Membership for Bulgaria, Romania

Bulgaria and Romania are to hold a double New Year's celebration as the two former Soviet bloc states become the newest members of the European Union at the stroke of midnight Sunday. (31.12.2006) 

EU Ministers Agree to Slow Turkey's Membership Talks

European Union foreign ministers have agreed on a partial suspension on membership talks with Turkey in response to Ankara's failure to respect its trade obligations to EU member Cyprus. (12.12.2006) 

Major Euro-Zone Expansion on Hold Until Next Decade

Five years after 12 EU members switched to the single European currency, hopes for a rapid expansion of the euro zone have been dashed by delays in eastern Europe and a lack of interest from west European holdouts. (10.12.2006) 

Recent EU Presidencies

Mixed Success as Finland Hands Over EU Reins to Germany

As Germany gears up to take over the EU presidency in January, Finland can start to relax as it steps down. What did it achieve in six-months' time? For one thing, Lebanon replaced Russia on the agenda. (27.12.2006) 

EU Must Stay Open, Finland Says As It Takes Over Reins

Finland, which took over the reins of the EU July 1, says the 25-member bloc must keep their doors open to new members. (05.07.2006) 

Austria Hands EU Baton to Finland

On Saturday, Austria hands over the presidency of the European Union to Finland. The Alpine republic declared some lofty goals during its time at the top, but to what extent did it deliver? (01.07.2006) 

British EU Presidency Tenure Fails to Impress

As Britain's six-month rotation as European Union president draws to a close, observers look back on the past half year, which was marked by a series of attempts to reform the EU. In the end, little was achieved. (27.12.2005) 

EU Constitution

"Without Values, This EU Has no Future"

DW-TV talked to Hans-Gert Pöttering, the likely new president of the European Parliament, about the German EU presidency, the chances for an EU constitution and his plans as leader of the bloc's legislative. (06.01.2007) 

Germany Wants EU Constitution "Back on Track"

Less than two weeks before Germany assumes the EU presidency, the country wants the ailing EU treaty back on track as some warn that indecision is a "warning sign that Europe is paralyzed." (19.12.2006) 

WWW Links

The Council of the European Union

More information on the official Web site 

Audios and videos on the topic

Jan Techau, the director of the German Council on Foreign Relations, on the German EU Presidency

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