Germany's EU Presidency: Priorities for Europe and the Transatlantic Relationship

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The American Institute for Contemporary German Studies at Johns Hopkins will host a webinar with German Ambassador Emily Haber to hear firsthand perspectives on the European agenda for the coming six months.

Germany takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2020, at a crucial time for Europe. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas recently dubbed this Germany's "Corona presidency." The agenda likely will be dominated by the EU's extraordinary measures to respond to the economic and public health consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, along with the negotiations of the EU budget for the next seven years. Berlin will also have the task of managing Europe's approach to China, as Beijing's policies come under increasing criticism in Europe. Policies toward Russia, Africa, and the Middle East will also require Europe's attention, and Germany's presidency will coincide with the end of the U.K.'s scheduled transition period, the final conclusion of Brexit.

How will Germany seek to move the EU forward on the unprecedented public health and economic crises, along with major foreign policy challenges? How will EU relations with the U.S. develop during the presidency, and what concrete initiatives will the transatlantic community pursue?

Read Ambassador Haber's bio online.