Austria takes over EU presidency

On  July 1, Austria took over rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU for the upcoming 6 months. Overal priorities of its Presidency programme are security and migration, securing prosperity and competitiveness through digitalisation and stability in the neighbourhood.

In general, the major focus of the Presidency is expected to be on the conclusion of Brexit, the Multiannual Financial Framework, and the upcoming European elections in May 2019.

On the question of the digital agenda, the Austrian Presidency will advocate for future-proof data protection in the digital environment, in particular in the context of the Regulation on respect for private life and the protection of personal data in electronic communications.