Results of the successful Danish Presidency

The Danish government has stated it has achieved these results by focusing on specific results. Its guiding principles have been clear goals, a working presidency and transparency. Some specific results on the presidency's five focus areas:

• From Copenhagen to Copenhagen:On 16 april 2003, an 'Enlargement Treaty' will be signed; on 1 May 2004 ten candidate countries will accede to full membership of the EU (see EurActiv16 December);
• Freedom, security and justice: a strengthening of the EU tools to combat terrorism within and outside the EU, adoption of the 'Dublin II Regulation' on asylum and immigration affairs, and strengthening control of the EU's external borders;
• Sustainable development: agreement to fully liberalise the EU electricity and gas markets by 2004 for enterprises and 2007 for citizens; a decisive push to the action plan on financial services; adoption of a 'single European sky'; modernisation of EU competition rules; agreement on software patents;
• Food safety: adoption of new rules on labelling (see EurActiv29 November); a ban on hormones in animal production; agreement on GMO policy (see EurActiv10 December); launch of the CAP mid-term review; adoption of fisheries reform policy (see EU Presidency13 December);
• Global responsibility: agreement on proposal on Middle-East roadmap to peace; common EU line on resolving the Iraqi conflict; resolution of the Kaliningrad issue (see EurActiv12 November); eight summits with third countries or regions; prepared the first EU crisis management mission.

Greece will next hold the EU Presidency from 1 January to 1 July 2003.