Denmark launches a new journalistic shortcut to Denmark: Denmark Stay Tuned.
150 km of cords and cables are to be rolled up and packed away. Flowers and plants are placed carefully in boxes. They are not to be thrown out, but in line with the sustainability profile of the Presidency they are planted in Aarhus, where they will take root. The sponsored furniture is wrapped in bubble wrap and sent back to Fritz Hansen Furniture with a 'thank you’ note attached.
The Danish Presidency is now entering a decisive phase. The Presidency has already reached agreement on several important files to the benefit of both European citizens and businesses, but despite that the summer weather has gradually settled in, the meeting rooms will be buzzing with activity throughout the last month of the Danish EU Presidency.
The establishment of the Single Market in 1992 has had a massive impact on the everyday life of EU citizens. Every time you buy a new mobile phone, have steak for dinner or watch TV with your family, the EU’s Single Market has played its part.
The Danish Presidency is working to promote the transition to a green economy with a greater focus on sustainability. One of the most important initiatives taken at EU level is the EU's Energy Efficiency Directive, which was proposed by the Commission in June 2011. The EU Member States have agreed that the negotiations of the Directive should be completed by the end of June 2012.
In celebration of the 20th Festival of Europe, the European institutions opened their doors to the public on Open Day 12 May. Among the debates, dancing, music and street art, the Danish EU Presidency’s information stand focused on the environment and offered pedal-powered smoothies – even the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, got on the bike and kept the pedals going.
Denmark is hosting the presidency of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly 23-30 May in Horsens. The meeting will be the biggest event on Danish soil during the EU Presidency, counting more than 400 participants, including up to 150 parliamentarians from the EU, Africa, Caribbean and Pacific.
In a nation, where 95 pct. of the population own a bike it is only natural, that a two-wheel ride is offered to EU delegates as well.
Movie buffs in Sofia will soon get to see two Danish Oscar Winners at close range. In Copenhagen, young European filmmakers met in April during the film festival CPH PIX for five days of inspiration and networking. And in June the mobile film studio FILM-Y travels to Transylvania to give Romanian children a unique film experience. These are some of the film events launched during the Danish Presidency, which has a special focus on Danish cinema.
"Health, Environment and Climate Change are at the heart of the Danish EU Presidency," said Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen, when he, together with Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark opened the exhibition "Health, Environment, Climate - Human health and the impact of Environmental and Climatic Factors” on 25 April.
The Danish EU Presidency wishes to draw special attention to the severe challenges, which young Europeans are currently facing. The matter will be addressed at the Informal meeting of Ministers for Employment and Social Policy on the 24 and 25 April and at the Conference on ’Youth: Employment and Inclusion in times of crisis’ on the 26 and 27 April in Horsens.
The EU institutions employ nearly 40,000 people widely representing the EU. They put their mark on the European political work with their different approaches and spectrum of solutions.
The EU citizens' initiative came into effect on Sunday 1 April and gives EU citizens the opportunity to set the agenda.