Presidency of the European Council
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is a rotating role held by a member state of the EU for six months at a time. The country holding the presidency chairs the meetings of the Council of the EU in all its configurations, sets the agenda and legislative priorities, and mediates compromises among member states. The presidency also represents the EU in matters of common foreign and security policy. It is distinct from both the Presidency of the European Council and the presidency of the European Commission.
-
Finland pushes EU-wide tourist visa ban for Russian citizens
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen is urging EU member states to co-sign a letter to the European Commission demanding a full ban on tourist Schengen visas for Russian citizens until Russia ends its war against Ukraine. The initiative, set out in five proposals, has drawn immediate public backing from Estonia.