Italy will assume the rotating presidency of the Council of Ministers in July, when the EU finds itself in a period of institutional transition following the European Parliament elections. Italian Permanent Representative Stefano Sannino said that at this critical juncture, the Italian Presidency will play a key role in securing a smooth transition from the old to the new EU leadership configuration and in shaping the agenda for the next five years.

Ambassador Sannino outlined the agenda of the Italian Council Presidency, identifying growth as the core priority. The Italian Presidency will also deal with several important policy dossiers, including the implementation of the banking union, concrete initiatives related to growth and jobs, the future of migration and asylum policies, and Europe’s energy policy, with a special focus on energy security.