A Council Presidency can only be successful if it is based on close cooperation with all European partners. Economic Affairs Minister Peter Altmaier therefore engaged in close dialogue with many of his colleagues from EU Member States and with representatives of the European institutions throughout Germany’s Presidency, as he did in the run-up to it.
Economic Affairs Minister Altmaier said: “When Germany assumed the Presidency of the Council of the EU, it took responsibility in very challenging times. ‘Together for Europe’s recovery’ is the motto we have sought to live up to. I am proud that, through close and trusting cooperation with our European partners, we have taken major steps in the past six months to make sure Europe’s economy will not only recover, but emerge stronger from the crisis.”
Germany worked together closely and continuously with its Trio partners Portugal and Slovenia. Economic Affairs Minister Altmaier set the stage for this partnership when he received his colleagues from the Trio countries in Berlin in September 2019. Additional talks were held in May and December 2020 via video link.
On 31 December 2020, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier passed the baton for the Presidency to his Portuguese counterpart Pedro Siza Vieira.
All throughout the German Presidency, Minister Altmaier remained in regular dialogue with members of the European Parliament and European Commission as well as stakeholders and civil society representatives. This ensured that all the key players were involved in the work of the German Presidency.
