Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Erste

#THEUBERSICHT

AUSTRIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

ERSTE LESUNG #THEUBERSICHT AUSTRIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

GENERAL INFORMATION the capital Vienna. German serves GDP reached 369.22 billion Euro in as the country’s official language. 2017 with a growth rate of 4,5 per After the breakdown of the Holy Austria joined the EU in 1995 and cent. The service sector provides Roman Empire, the Austrian Em- entered the Eurozone in 1999. The two thirds of the GDP. Trade and in- pire “Kaisertum Österreich” was Head of Government, Chancellor dustry make up about one third and declared in 1804 and transformed Sebastian Kurz, is the EU’s youngest agriculture contributes less than into the Austro-Hungarian Empire government leader. The Head of 2 per cent. Much of the economic in 1867. The Austrian Federal Con- State is the Federal President who strength of Austria’s service sector stitution was passed by the Con- is directly elected by the people. relies on tourism which alone con- stituent National Assembly in 1920, Currently, the position is held by Dr. tributes 15.9 per cent to the GDP. It turning the country into a federal re- Alexander Van der Bellen. Austrian was ranked 12 of 136 in the World public. Following World War II, Aus- EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn Economic Forum Travel and Tourism tria was occupied by the Allies and is responsible for Enlargement and Competitiveness Report 2017. In regained its final independence in European Neighbourhood Policy. ■ terms of trade, Austria’s main trading 1955. In exchange, Austria had to partners are Germany (30 per cent declare permanent neutrality which exports and 43 per cent imports) is the reason why it is one of the ECONOMY as well as Italy, the US and Switzer- few EU Member States that are not land. A government debt in relation a member of the NATO. As a parlia- Having a gross domestic product to GDP of 80.4 per cent places the mentary democracy, the federal leg- (GDP) per capita of 42.000 Euro country slightly below EU average. islation is exercised by the National and an unemployment rate of 5.5 Currently contributing 2.763 billion Council (Nationalrat) together with per cent in 2017, Austria is among Euro to the EU budget (2016) makes the Federal Council (Bundesrat) – the wealthiest EU Member States. Austria a net contributor to the the two chambers of Parliament. Of In the Global Competitiveness In- Union. In the face of Brexit Austria the approximately 8.6 million inhab- dex of the World Economic Forum favours a smaller EU budget instead itants of Austria, 1.9 million live in Austria ranks 18 of 137. Its overall of increasing it.■ #THEUBERSICHT AUSTRIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

PRIORITIES

The overall motto of the Austrian Presidency is “A Europe that protects”. The Presidency will focus on strengthening the European Union, helping it to get closer to its citizens and re-establishing trust. In order to achieve these objectives, the Presidency aims to enhance the principle of subsidiarity. It believes that only if there is sufficient room for local solutions to smaller issues, it will be possible to credibly promote unity in the big ones. In the light of the challenges ahead, the Austrian Presidency will strengthen the protecting role of the European Union, in particular concerning three priority areas:

SECURITY AND THE SECURING PROSPERITY STABILITY IN FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL AND COMPETITIVENESS THE EUROPEAN MIGRATION THROUGH NEIGHBOURHOOD

The Austrian Presidency aims at DIGITALISATION The Austrian Presidency will focus reforming the Common European on promoting strong relationships Asylum System and seeks to re-fo- The Austrian Presidency wants to between the EU and its neighbours, cus and strengthen the European make sure that the EU consistently with the Western Balkan and South Border and Coast Guard Agency avoids overregulation and makes Eastern European countries tak- FRONTEX, in order to guarantee progress in the fields of innovation ing a special place. The Presiden- the efficient protection of the EU’s and digitalisation. It underlines the cy believes that it is in the interest external borders. Further, the Pres- importance of safeguarding the of Europe’s economy and security idency wants to work more closely competitiveness and sustainability that the future of these regions lays with third countries regarding ef- of the European economy while at within the European Union. Along fective return policies. A key goal the same time taking into account with its European partners, Aus- is to provide assistance to those in citizens’ concerns vis-á-vis digital- tria will thus advocate for develop- need of protection before they en- isation. In order to bring the digital ing a concrete EU perspective for ter the EU while preventing those economy to its full potential, the all Western Balkan/South Eastern not in need of protection from set- Digital Single Market needs to be European states. This should be ting off on the crossing to Europe. completed and a modern and bal- based on clear criteria relating to With view to security, the Austrian anced regulatory framework shall their individual performance and Presidency will advocate efficient be set in place. For this to become work on achieving measurable pro- cooperation of and information ex- reality, national budgets need to be gress. ■ change between the security au- protected from harmful tax compe- thorities of Member States as well tition and tax avoidance. The Austri- as the interoperability of the rele- an Presidency thus aims at contin- vant large databases. ■ uing the EU’s work on the taxation of the digital economy. ■ #THEUBERSICHT AUSTRIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

WHO IS WHO

FOR MORE INFORMATION, ÖVP = Austrian People’s Party CLICK ON THE PICTURES FPÖ = Freedom Party of Austria

ÖVP FPÖ ÖVP

SEBASTIAN HEINZ-CHRISTIAN GERNOT KURZ STRACHE BLÜMEL Federal Chancellor Deputy-Chancellor/ Federal Federal Minister for the EU, Minister for Civil Service and Arts, Culture and Media Sport

ÖVP ÖVP FPÖ

JULIANE HEINZ BEATE BOGNER-STRAUSS FASSMANN HARTINGER-KLEIN Federal Minister for Women, Federal Minister for Education, Federal Minister for Labour, Families and Youth Science and Research Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection #THEUBERSICHT AUSTRIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

>> WHO IS WHO

FPÖ FPÖ independent

NORBERT HERBERT KARIN HOFER KICKL KNEISSL Federal Minister for Transport, Federal Minister Federal Minister for Europe, Innovation and Technology for the Interior Integration and Foreign Affairs

ÖVP FPÖ ÖVP

ELISABETH MARIO HARTWIG KÖSTINGER KUNASEK LÖGER Federal Minister for Federal Minister of Defence Federal Minister of Finance Sustainability and Tourism

ÖVP ÖVP

JOSEF MARGARETE MOSER SCHRAMBÖCK Federal Minister for Federal Minister for Digital Constitutional Affairs, Reforms, and Economic Affairs Deregulation and Justice #THEUBERSICHT AUSTRIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

POLICY FIELDS

GENERAL AFFAIRS framework (G20, OECD) and pro- shall be tackled by cooperative gress on the EU’s common cor- partnerships with countries of or- The Austrian Presidency puts sub- porate tax base and VAT-reform. igin and transit. Development co- sidiarity in focus as it aims at a Eu- Debating the 2019 EU budget will operation will be strongly linked to rope people can identify with. To an- involve negotiations on future own this aim. Economic ties with South- swer the question where more and resources. ■ East Asia will be key. The principle less Europe is needed, a high-level of effective multilateralism will play conference will be held, and pub- a role in the transatlantic relations; lic consultations will be organised. JUSTICE AND HOME strategic advancement of the EU’s Progress on the accession process AFFAIRS trade relations is planned. First of the Western Balkan candidate projects of the PESCO shall be im- countries shall be achieved. Sim- Securing the rule of law in the EU plemented. More attention shall be plification and increased results will be key for the Austrian Presi- given to cybersecurity and fight orientation of the cohesion policy dency. To achieve this, enhancing against terrorism within the CSDP will be key during the debate on the cross-border judicial cooperation and internationally. ■ Multiannual Financial Framework. and reorganising Eurojust will be Regarding the final stage of Brex- central. Further, the establishment it negotiations, the Presidency is of a crisis-proof security union and EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL keen to maintain the unity of the EU a strategic reorientation in the area POLICY, HEALTH AND 27 and protect citizens’ rights. The of internal security are fundamen- CONSUMERS annual rule of law dialogue will take tal objectives for the Presidency. place during Austria’s term. ■ Besides internal security, other es- The Austrian Presidency is com- sential points are the protection of mitted to create fair working con- external borders, the fight against ditions for all and thus continues ECONOMIC AND radicalisation, terrorism and organ- to promote transparent and reliable FINANCIAL AFFAIRS ised crime. Moreover, digital security working conditions in the EU. In this in all areas, a transparent handling of regard, it supports existing initia- When completing the Banking data and the increased use of e-Jus- tives in the field of equal treatment, Union, the Austrian Presidency pur- tice solutions shall be promoted. ■ non-discrimination and the rec- sues risk reduction as its main goal. onciliation of work and family life. An agreement on the Banking Pack- Moreover, Austria aims to conclude age shall be reached. Negotiations FOREIGN AFFAIRS negotiations on the amendment of on the Capital Markets Union shall the Carcinogens Directive and the focus on innovation and growth. The Presidency will focus on in- European Accessibility Act. The Better compliance with the Stabil- creasing security and stability in Presidency will prepare a common ity and Growth pact is intended to the immediate neighbourhood. EU position on Tobacco Control further strengthen credibility. The Apart from the Eastern Partnership and a progress report on “Health Presidency will continue the EU’s – with special attention to Ukraine Technology Assessment”. With re- fight against harmful tax compe- and Russia – and the South East- gard to digitisation, it wants to con- tition, tax fraud and tax evasion. It ern European countries, the Middle centrate on working and employ- wants to work on the taxation of the East and Africa play an increasingly ment conditions, social and labour digital economy in an international important role. Irregular migration law and platform-based work. ■ #THEUBERSICHT AUSTRIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

>> POLICY FIELDS

ENVIRONMENT COMPETITIVENESS European Agenda for Culture of 2007 and the adoption of the new Climate protection will constitute a To increase competitiveness, small Work Plan for Culture as of 2019. In priority of the Austrian Presidency and medium-sized enterprises and the area of sport, a key aspect will in the field of environment. Key top- start-ups will be given special at- be sport and physical activity at the ics for the Presidency will thus be tention during the Austrian Presi- workplace. ■ the 24th Conference of the Parties dency. Austria will support initiatives to the United Nations Framework that promote innovation and pro- Convention on Climate Change fessional skills and push for better TRANSPORT, (COP24) in Katowice in December framework conditions for digital TELECOMMUNICATION 2018 and the work towards com- services and digitalisation in com- AND ENERGY pleting the negotiations on further panies. Great emphasis will lie on reduction of CO2 emissions of pas- the completion of the Online Plat- The Austrian Presidency aims to senger cars and vans. Further, the form Economy projects, the Regu- continue to work on the dossiers of proposal on single-use plastics will lation on establishing a Single Dig- the mobility packages. The Com- receive special attention. The Aus- ital Gateway and the Reform of the mission’s proposals for the revision trian Presidency also plans to pres- Patent Package. To set the course of transport infrastructure cost, the ent conclusions on the orientation for the future, it aims for rapid pro- European Electronic Toll Service of the future global biodiversity pol- gress at the Horizon Europe pack- (EETS) and the promotion of clean icy after 2020. ■ age and plans to seize the oppor- and eco-friendly road transport ve- tunities of Artificial Intelligence, in hicles will constitute key priorities. particular for Europe’s re-industrial- With view to telecommunication, AGRICULTURE AND isation. ■ the Presidency intends to finalise FISHERIES the negotiations on the revision of the legal framework for telecom- In the field of agriculture, the Austri- EDUCATION, YOUTH, munications, in particular the Eu- an Presidency will focus on discus- CULTURE AND SPORT ropean Electronic Communication sions and negotiations on the Com- Code. In the field of energy, the mon Agricultural Policy after 2020 The Austrian Presidency will turn Presidency will focus on the com- as well as on the Commission’s with particular attention to the fu- pletion of the Clean Energy Pack- proposal on the food supply chain. ture of the EU’s cooperation on age and in particular on the elec- Other relevant dossiers include a re- education and the successor pro- tricity market design. ■ view of the EU Forest Strategy and gramme to Erasmus+. In the area of EU activities on deforestation. of youth, the Presidency aims to With view to consumer protection, agree on a work plan for the first the work on the veterinary medici- implementation phase of the EU nal products and medicated feeds Youth Strategy from 2019 to 2020. package will continue. In the field of Further, Austria will present a pro- fisheries, the negotiations on 2019 posal for conclusions on the role catch limits for the Baltic Sea, the of youth work for young migrants Black Sea and the North Sea/Atlan- and refugees. In the area of culture, tic will be predominant. ■ key topics will be the revision of the #THEUBERSICHT AUSTRIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

FURTHER INFORMATION

19 APR 2018 07 JUN 2018 Kurz: Austrian EU Presidency to focus on China Juncker puts hopes in ‘pro-European’ Austrian Presidency 28 MAY 2018 Safeguarding external borders tops Kurz’s EU 12 JUN 2018 presidency agenda Austrian Chancellor: Europe needs to understand Israel’s security needs 05 JUN 2018 Austria and Putin’s mutual appreciation society 13 JUN 2018 07 JUN 2018 Austria’s Kurz wants ‘axis of willing’ against illegal Austrian Wunderkind? Kurz eyes pivotal role in migration geopolitics

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