Finland took over the presidency of the Council of the EU for six months on Monday, replacing Romania. The Nordic nation has made climate one of its priorities. “Solving the climate crisis could be Europe’s next heroic act, one that will be admired and praised by future generations,” Finnish prime minister Antti Rinne said Monday. Finland will spend some €500,000 on offsetting carbon emissions from its EU presidency-linked flights.
“The presidency is responsible for taking forward the Council’s work on EU legislation and policy initiatives in the Council and for ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda,” according to the European Commission on Sunday.
Finland, which took over the term from Romania, is expected to focus more on Brexit, situation in Western Balkans, as well as appointment of heads to the leading institutions of the bloc.
“The priorities for Finland’s presidency are to strengthen common values and the rule of law, to make the EU more competitive and socially inclusive, to strengthen the EU’s position as a global leader in climate action and to protect the security of citizens comprehensively,” the commission added.
Croatia will assume the rotating EU presidency in early 2020.