WUNRN
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION -
EQUALITY BETWEEN WOMEN & MEN - TRIO LEADERSHIP 18-MONTH PROGRAMME
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION -
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The
European Council defines the general political direction and priorities of the
European Union. The European Council provides the Union with the necessary
impetus for its development and defines the general political directions and
priorities thereof. It does not exercise legislative functions. The European
Council consists of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States,
together with its President and the President of the Commission.
Member states holding the Council of the European Union rotating presidency work together closely in groups of three, called 'trios'. This system was introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009. The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the topics and major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an 18 month period. On the basis of this programme, each of the three countries prepares its own more detailed six-month programme.
Link to Programme specific for current Italian Presidence of the Council of the European Union: http://italia2014.eu/media/1227/programma-en1-def.pdf
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Brussels, 17 June 2014 (OR. en) 10948/1/14 REV 1
The future TRIO COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Italian, Latvian and Luxembourg Presidencies - To: Delegations - Subject: 18-Month Programme of the Council of the European Union (1 July 2014 - 31 December 2015)
Direct Link to Full 103-Page Trio
Programme of the Council of the EU:
EQUALITY BETWEEN WOMEN &
MEN
Equality between women and men is a fundamental value of the European Union. There is also a strong economic case for advancing equality between women and men, particularly in the context of the ongoing economic crisis, and for demographic reasons. The three Presidencies will seek to ensure that the Council fulfils its commitments as set out in the European Pact for Gender Equality (2011-2020), and will take into account the framework of the Commission's Strategy for equality between women and men (2010-2015).
In the context of the Europe 2020 Strategy, the three Presidencies will continue to support the labour market activation of women, in keeping with the 75% employment target for women and men. Specific issues that are relevant from an employment perspective include the pension gap, gender stereotypes, women and technology and the role of women in decision-making. Another vital theme that will receive attention is the need to combat gender-based violence.
Work will also continue on the Commission's proposal for a Directive to improve the gender balance on company boards.
The three Presidencies will seek to implement the gender perspective into all policy areas ("gender mainstreaming") and in the context of external actions. EU coordination will be ensured at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in 2015 and a 20-year review of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action will be undertaken.
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