Chairing the Enlarged Union : The Netherlands' 2004 EU Council Presidency

This paper discusses the background, agenda and principal results of the Netherlands' 2004 EU Council presidency. The six-month presidency, during which hundreds of government representatives are responsible for preparing and chairing Council meetings at the administrative and political EU level, is generally regarded by member states as a highlight period for national EU policy-making. Although this was the eleventh time that the Dutch had held the Council's chair, the challenges faced were far from routine.

The paper has two parts. Part I explores the domestic organization and management of EU policy-making in the Netherlands, as well as the objectives and issues that were central to this particular presidency. Three Dutch concerns were paramount: the problems of managing Council business in the broad setting of the EU of 25 nations (EU-25); to provide guidance to the EU; as well as to stimulate further 'Europeanization' at the central government level in The Hague.

Part II provides a balance sheet with emphasis on the following issue areas: the 'Hague Programme' for cooperation in justice and home affairs; the political crisis surrounding nomination of the Barroso Commission; the presidency's involvement during the election turmoil in Ukraine; the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP); the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP); and, last but not least, the run-up to the December 2004 European Council's decision on opening accession negotiations with Turkey.

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