From July 1st, 2023, the EU Trio, representing the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, assumes its duties for the next 18 months (July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024). The Trio's strategic agenda aims to build upon the achievements made thus far, with a focus on the priorities set by the current trio Spain, Belgium, and Hungary. Consequently, Sweden's advancements in the area of digitalisation will be considered during this ongoing work.

The Trio will continue working on the framework on the Digital Services Act, fostering research, innovation, and digital inclusion. Additionally, the Presidencies will place a significant emphasis on re-skilling and up-skilling opportunities for European citizens to prepare them to tackle and cope with future transformation in society, the economy, and the labour market. Ensuring fair labour mobility within the EU, promoting inclusion, and addressing mental health in the workplace are among other priorities on the Spanish agenda.

This means further:

• reinforcing the EU’s global competitiveness by strengthening its industrial base in line with the accelerated twin green and digital transitions and making use of innovation;
• ensuring the twin transitions are fair, just and inclusive by enhancing the social dimension of Europe, including by addressing the demographic challenge the EU is facing;
• strengthening international partnerships, multilateral cooperation, and security in all its dimensions, as well as building up an ambitious and balanced trade policy, whilst at the same time defending EU interests more assertively, based on our values, and strengthening the EU’s capability to act in the field of security and defence.

Spain Takes Over the EU Presidency

Spain is assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the fifth time. During its six-month mandate, the country has identified four key priorities to focus and work on:

• reindustrialize the European Union and guarantee its open strategic autonomy
• make progress in the green transition and in environmental adaptation
• promote greater social and economic justice
• strengthen European unity

This year, it is marked 30 years of the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty and the creation of the EU citizenship. Coinciding with this anniversary, the Spanish Presidency will strengthen channels for citizen participation, paying particular attention to creating mechanisms to evaluate the impact of EU policies on citizens. Additionally, Spain is planning to continue negotiations regarding legislative dossiers and will propose an initiative on international remote work to favour labour mobility and foster the European job market integration.

Ethical and Inclusive Digitalisation Ranked High

Digitalisation is ranked high in the Spanish agenda across various sectors with a primary focus on reaching an agreement on the AI Act during the next negotiating session between the EU Council, Parliament and Commission, the so called trilogue. The goal for EU policymakers is to address and potentially close some of the less controversial parts of the proposal, while providing political guidance for the technical work. Nevertheless, there are still parts of the proposal that are subject to criticism, particularly concerning fundamental rights impact assessment by AI, among others.

Completing the architecture for the new digital economy model of the EU will be one of the key milestones of the Presidency with a strong focus on safeguarding European rights and values. Particular emphasis will be placed on upholding the rights to nondiscrimination, privacy, and data security. Furthermore, Spain will work on the European Digital Identity Regulation (eIDAS 2), the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), the Interoperable Europe Act, as well as on enhancing digital skills and creating opportunities for digital education and career transitions. The importance of these skills, along with professional training, ongoing training and lifelong learning, are underscored in the European Year of Skills 2023.

On the basis of the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles, signed on 15 December 2022, the Presidency will continue to foster reflection on the importance of ethical and inclusive digitalisation.