HR PRES 2020

From 1 January to 30 June 2020, Croatia is presiding over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time. During this six-month period, Croatia will lead the activities of the Council as an honest broker, building cooperation and agreement among Member States in a spirit of consensus and mutual respect.
 
Based on Croatian national priorities, in line with the guidelines set by the EU Strategic Agenda 2019-2024 and drawing on the Trio programme, Croatia has prepared a detailed six-month Presidency programme built around four pillars:
  1. A Europe that develops
  2. A Europe that connects
  3. A Europe that protects
  4. An influential Europe
 
These four priorities are united in the motto ‘A Strong Europe in a World of Challenges’, which encapsulates the vision of a Europe acting for the benefit of its Member States and citizens. In its work, the Croatian Presidency will also take into account the strategic documents that will be agreed between the EU institutions and the work programme of the new European Commission for 2020.
 
Mr Josip Aladrović, the Minister of Labour and Pension System, will chair the formation of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) together with Ms Vesna Bedeković, the Minister for Demographics, Family, Youth and Social Policy.

EPSCO Council priorities in the field of employment and social policy are:
  1. Skills development as an incentive for competitiveness and employability
  2. Strengthening the wellbeing at work
  3. Demographic challenges and the future of social policy
  4. Promoting gender equality and empowering women in the labour market