Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union

From 1 July to 31 December 2022, the Czech Republic is holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Priorities relevant for the hospitality sector are highlighted below (full programme):

Tourism & STR:

• continue discussions initiated by the French on regulation of Short-Term Rentals (STR)
• develop a long-term strategy for tourism focusing on sustainable development and post-pandemic recovery
• progress on the European Agenda for Tourism 2030.

Social Affairs & Employment:

• achieve a general approach of the Council on the Directive on working conditions of platform workers
• continue discussion on the proposal for a Directive on pay transparency for men and women
• initiate discussions on a Council Recommendation on minimum income standards
• support the Commission’s recommendation on effective active labour market measures, including increasing labour market flexibility, skills and career guidance.

Competitiveness:

• aim to improve the functioning of the single market and remove barriers to businesses
• start negotiations on the expected Single Market Emergency Instrument (SMEI).

Food (initiatives under the EU Green Deal):

• engage discussion on initiative on sustainability of food systems
• continue work on labelling initiatives (nutritional information on food packaging ; durability and expiry dates ; ingredients in alcoholic beverages ; nutritional profiles).

Sustainability/environment:

• Aim for a general approach on energy performance of buildings and launch trilogues on the energy efficiency directive
• continue trilogues on the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)
• progress on negotiations with the EP on the Social Climate Fund, linked to the extension of the EU ETS to buildings and road transport.

Recovery and support:

• support SMEs to overcome current challenges, i.e. inflation, rising prices, post-COVID19 recovery
• implement the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Cohesion:

• launch negotiations on a proposal to help Member States deal with the impact of the war
• expect Council’s conclusions on recovery and resilience in the context of the war and COVID-19.

Events:

• European Tourism Forum : 14-16 November 2022 in Prague
• Full calendar of events is accessible here.