Germany's Programme for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union has been published. Germany assumed the rotating six-month Presidency on 1 July 2020. The introduction provided in the programme document is as follows:

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Introduction

The European Union is facing a decisive challenge with the COVID-19 pandemic. During Germany's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we will do all we can to meet this challenge together and in a forward-looking manner, and to help Europe to recover. It is more important now than ever before to set clear priorities and to join forces. Germany is well aware of its responsibility for the European Union.

Only by containing the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the long term, investing in Europe's economy, fully exploiting our innovative potential and strengthening social cohesion can the European Union and its Member States overcome the crisis effectively and permanently. We must act together and in a coordinated manner, in a spirit of European solidarity and on the basis of our common values. Together, we can take steps to ensure that Europe – while upholding the principle of subsidiarity – becomes stronger, fairer and more sustainable.

Crises have always been an opportunity in the EU to call things that are considered a given into question and to be even better prepared to face the challenges of the future. Our common task goes far beyond the immediate efforts to overcome the current situation. To this end, we must focus our attention on the major transformation processes of our time such as climate change, digitalisation and the changing world of work. In an increasingly polarised world, European policy must strengthen Europe's ability to act globally in order to defend European interests and to live up to our responsibility in the world. We are committed to an international order based on rules and human rights and want Europe to play a role in shaping standards and norms worldwide.

The guiding principles of Germany's Council Presidency are as follows:

• overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic permanently, as well as the economic recovery
• a stronger and more innovative Europe
• a fair Europe
• a sustainable Europe
• a Europe of security and common values
• a strong Europe in the world

One of our major priorities will be to work to ensure a rapid conclusion of the negotiations on the EU's multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the period from 2021 to 2027. The EU budget must, on the one hand, be geared to the current challenges in connection with the COVID-19 crisis and, on the other, to the European Union's long-term strategic goals in a changing world.

Our objective: together for Europe's recovery.