Euro crisis undercuts EU rotating presidency
View(s):By Yann Ollivier
BRUSSELS, Dec 27, 2012 (AFP) – The European Union’s rotating six-month presidency has lost much of its authority in recent years as the eurozone crisis and increased powers for Brussels have undercut its role and importance.
The shared presidency, which Ireland takes over from Cyprus in January, was originally intended to allow each country to set and drive the EU agenda during their term, and highlight their contribution to the EU project.
It still does that to a degree but now at 27 members, soon to become 28 with Croatia in 2013, the impact has been diluted, all the more so since the office of the President of the European Council was formally established in 2009.
Herman Van Rompuy currently holds that post, presiding over the council of EU leaders as the top political representative of the group, and overseeing the regular summits in Brussels.
The Lisbon Treaty which established the president’s office “really undercut the rotating presidency of the EU,” said Yann-Sven Rittelmeyer, researcher at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI).
“The rotating presidency takes on all the work to prepare (for the summits)… but once things get serious and difficult, Van Rompuy steps in to resolve any problems directly with the leaders,” said one EU diplomat.
At the summit, the holder of the rotating presidency has the right to sit next to Van Rompuy, but “in practice, it is only four or five leaders who speak, generally the most important ones” such as Britain, France, Germany or Italy, the diplomat said.
“The other 23 keep quiet and hope that the meeting will not drag on too long,” the diplomat added.
The Lisbon Treaty also created the post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a high profile office of modest beginnings which is trying to give the EU a single international voice.
The current High Representative, Catherine Ashton, chairs the meetings of EU foreign ministers and represents the EU on the international stage, such as leading talks with Iran over its disputed nuclear programme.
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