Italy assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2014 and will hold the position for six months until 31 December 2014. The Italian Presidency coincides with the first six months of a new European Parliament which was elected in May.
The programme of the Italian Presidency "Europe a Fresh Start" sets out their strategic framework.
EERC Committee evidence
The Committee took evidence, on the role of the Presidency and its key objectives, from Pasquale Terracciano, Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, at its meeting on Thursday 9 October 2014.