Start of Hungarian Presidency – final Presidency Programme & key dates to remember

Dear Members, please see below update on the the focus of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU, impacting chemicals and circular economy workstreams.

Dear members,

the Hungarian Presidency starts today – please see the final programme of the Presidency here.  Its overriding theme is “Making Europe Great Again”.

With respect to Sustainability, it confirms the priorities shared earlier in June:

• Trilogues to be held on: Soil Health Law; Green Claims; Waste Framework; Priority Substances in Water; One Substance One Assessment;
• General Approach/COREPER mandate to be reached on: Microplastics Pellets Proposals
• Council Conclusions to be adopted on: UNFCCC COP29; UN Biodiversity Conference COP16; ECA report on climate adaptation
• Events to be organised: Green event on 16/12
• Key dates to remember – please see draft Council agendas  attached.
  • Opening session and workshop on international climate change issues: 2 July
  • High-Level Conference on Cardiovascular Health: 3 July
  • High-Level Ministerial Conference on Organ Donation and Transplantation: 10/11 July
  • ENVI Council meetings: 11/12 July (informal), 14 October, 17 December
    • For 14 October, the incoming Presidency provisionally schedules policy exchanges among environment ministers on the preparations for INC-5 on the Global Plastic Treaty and on the implementation of the EU chemicals strategy, next to the approval of Council Conclusions for UN-Climate Change COP29 and COP16 on Biodiversity.
    • For 17 December, the draft agenda includes the adoption of a general approach on the Regulation on preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution and a policy exchange on the 2040 climate target. Reports from the international conferences should be given.
  • Health Council: 9/10 October (informal), 3 December
    • For 3 December, the Presidency provisionally schedules the adoption of a general approach on the pharma package,  Conclusions on action against cardiovascular diseases (which are supposed to include sustainability conclusions) and Conclusions on EU cooperation in the field of transplantation.

With respect to Competitiveness:

• The incoming Presidency aims at contributing to the development of a technology-neutral industrial strategy, a framework for boosting European productivity, an open economy and international economic cooperation, as well as a flexible labour market that creates secure jobs and offers rising wages in Europe, which is a crucial factor to growth and competitiveness.
• The adoption of a New European Competitiveness Deal is a key priority of the Hungarian Presidency to restore economic development and create the conditions for sustainable growth, deepen the internal market, focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, promote the green and digital transition in partnership with European economic stakeholders and citizens, international cooperation, and ensure the stability and sustainability of jobs.
• Key dates to remember:
  • Competitiveness Council: 8/9 July (informal), 26 September, 28/29 November
    • For 26 September, ministers are envisaged to hold policy exchanges on three files:

(1) The future of European competitiveness, tackling the challenges facing industry and businesses in the single market,

(2) The state aid framework and its contribution to EU policy objectives and

(3) SMEs reaping the benefits of the single market.

• • • On 28/29 November, the Presidency plans for

1. the adoption of Conclusions on a new European Competitiveness Deal and
2. a policy exchange on Better Regulation in Europe