On 1 January 2017, Malta has took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The Council is composed of the ministers of the Member States and the Presidency of the Council rotates among the member states of the EU every six months. The presidency is not an individual, but rather the position is held by a national government. The presidency's function is to chair meetings of the Council, determine its agendas, set a work programme and facilitate dialogue both at Council meetings and with other EU institutions. Malta’s Presidency will thus take place from 1 January 2017 until 30 June 2017.
On 9 January, the Maltese Presidency has published their official programme.
e-Health
The Maltese Presidency intends to organize eHealth week 2017 together with the European Commission, the World Health organization and HIMSS Europe with the central theme being “Data for Health” - The key to personalised sustainable care. eHealth Week 2017 will gather stakeholders from across the globe to address international topics related to healthcare IT, including cross-border exchange of personal health data and European Reference Networks.
The Maltese Presidency also intends to create appropriate crossborder IT infrastructure that facilitates the secure and efficient exchange of personal health data and other health-related information between authorised healthcare providers.
Key dates: 10-12 May - eHealth week, Malta
Digital Single Market
The Maltese Presidency is committed to making progress on the legislative dossiers issued under the Digital Single Market strategy, presented in May 2015. The Maltese Presidency also intends to take forward the discussions on the copyright reform.
Key dates
· 29 May - Competitiveness Council
° Copyright Package
° Digital Single Market
· 8/9 June - Justice and Home Affairs Council
° Digital Agenda
° Data Protection
· 9 June - Telecommunications Council
° European Electronic Communications Code
° European Regulators for Electronic Communications
° Data localization
° e-privacy
° DSM Strategy
· 14-16 June - Digital Assembly
Research and Innovation
The Maltese Presidency will also seek to strengthening Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation in Research and Innovation, primarily through the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA). Malta’s role will be that of ensuring progress on the legislative deliberations on the PRIMA initiative.
Key dates
· 21 February (possibly) – Competitiveness Council (Research)
· 4 May- Ministerial Conference on Strengthening Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation through Research and Innovation
· 30 May - Competitiveness Council (Research)
The official programme may be found here.
