Danish presidency: Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen

Despite the uncertain times, the EU must have the courage to look to the future, writes Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen.

Taking over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union is a big and exciting challenge at any time. With the economic storm over Europe, the challenge is even greater and the responsibility even bigger. We face this challenge with a mixture of humility, determination and eagerness to get down to business.

Our vision for Europe is a responsible Europe, a dynamic Europe, a green Europe and a safe Europe. These are our four key priorities. A responsible Europe based on fiscal discipline and stability, for example through implementing the European semester according to all the rules and through a modernised budget for the next seven years. A dynamic Europe with more growth, based on a revitalised single internal and digital market and a forward-looking trade policy. A green Europe based on more efficient use of the scarce energy resources and ambitious climate, energy and environmental goals. And a safe Europe based on well-functioning external borders and a common asylum system.

To turn this vision into reality, teamwork at all levels is required. Through the Lisbon treaty the European parliament has assumed an even more prominent role in EU decision-making. Denmark fully recognises and respects this and looks forward to cooperating closely and constructively with all its directly elected members. Such a close and constructive cooperation between the two legislative bodies, as well as with other European institutions, is instrumental in getting us safely out of the crisis. Together we must demonstrate the ‘community method’ continues to work and can deliver the results we need.

Teamwork is also key within the Danish presidency. A presidency takes a lot of preparation, many hours of hard work and intensive coordination and cooperation. For many months we have been preparing for our seventh presidency since 1973. Everyone in the ministries in Copenhagen and everyone at the Danish EU representation are ready and will give all it takes to ensure that the Danish presidency delivers what is requested of it. We want to be a professional, open, accessible and result-oriented presidency, be it in working groups, council meetings or through discussions and cooperation with the European parliament.

The EU is going through a difficult and challenging period. Even so, we must also have the courage to look to the future. The world is changing very rapidly, and we cannot stand still. We must continue to develop our common union. Only then will it deliver the results demanded by our citizens of today and tomorrow. To achieve that, we need to work together. The Danish presidency is ready for the task.

Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen is Denmark's permanent representative to the EU