After months of build-up, Malta's six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union begins today. Philip Leone-Ganado explores what the role means and what the country hopes to achieve by June 30. What is the presidency? As of today, Malta has become the smallest country to ever take on the presidency of the Council of the EU, the institution comprising the leaders of each Member State. The presidency rotates between Member States every six months, and while it does not mean the country will be running the EU until June, Malta's first turn in the hot-seat does bring with it significant responsibility – and opportunity. For six months, Malta will plan and chair all ministerial meetings in Brussels and Luxembourg, with the exception of the meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. It will host a number of high-level meetings and conferences here in Malta, including a summit of EU heads of government in February. It will also have the opportunity to influence and shape the EU's agenda in line with its own priorities and goals, and as the representative of the Council in relation to other EU institutions, lead 'trialogue' negotiations with the Parliament and Commission in...
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