The Presidency of the European Council is a rotating presidency. The different EU Member States assume the Presidency of the Council in six-month rotating terms.
For a six-month period, the State in office presides over sessions at all levels of the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in this institution.
The Member States holding the Presidency work closely together in groups of three, known as "Trios" under the system introduced by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.
The "Trio" sets long-term objectives and draws up a common agenda of themes and issues to be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period. On the basis of this programme, each of the three countries draws up its own programme to be implemented during its term of office.
The Presidency of the Council cannot be elected; each country takes its turn, i.e. all Member States hold the Presidency of the Council at some point in time.
The Council of the EU represents the governments of the Member States and is responsible for adopting European legislation and coordinating EU policies, thus ensuring cooperation between them.
Spain holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2023, so it will be Spain's turn to take the helm of this important institution during that period.
From July to December 2023, Spain must drive forward the work of the Council.
Spain will inaugurate, as it did in 2010, a "Trio" that will be completed successively by Belgium and Hungary throughout 2024.
Correos is issuing a stamp to mark this important moment in Spanish philately.
