2011 will provide a unique opportunity for CEC to assist investors in Europe to present their case to leading EU decision-makers, when Hungary and Poland in turn take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Under the Lisbon Treaty, a host of new institutions and decision-making mechanisms were created, including a permanent President of European Council and a High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. But the principle was maintained that member states continue to hold the rotating post of Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with significant influence over the EU policy process.

Over 2011, Hungary and Poland will be responsible for conducting the work of the EU Council and its subsidiary bodies (working groups and committees) as well as the European Council; representing the EU Council in its dealings with other EU institutions; and representing the UE in international relations (with third countries and international organizations).

CEC throughout 2010 will be offering its clients a unique opportunity to monitor and participate in the process of Hungarian and Polish preparation for the Presidencies of 2011, and then working closely with them in 2011 itself to engage in the Presidency process both in terms of information gathering and advocacy services. We will leverage our long experience in the region to keep clients abreast of the Hungarian and Polish perspectives on EU issues and the areas where successful communication is most likely to be achieved.

Please review our Resources section of our website for information and documentation on the 2011 Hungarian and Polish EU Presidencies.

• Calendar of Ministerial meetings during the Polish Presidency
• Who is who in the Polish Presidency
• Programme of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
• Priorities of the Polish Presidency
• Initial Calendar for the Polish Presidency of the EU Council
• Strong Europe with a Human Touch, Strategic Framework – Hungarian Presidency
• Interview with Mikołaj Dowgielewicz, Secretary of State for European Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, on priorities of the Polish presidency for the EU
• Calendar of the Hungarian Presidency
• European Policy Centre: The priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU
• Hungarian Presidency of the EU: Challenges and Priorities
• Report on the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
• Council Decision of Sep 15, 2006 adopting the Council's Rules of Procedure