1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i Romania Assumes the EU Presidency amid Domestic Turmoil Sarah E. Garding Analyst in Balkan and Southeast Europe Affairs January 8, 2019 On January 1, 2019, Romania assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the Euro
2、pean Union (hereinafter, the EU presidency) for the first time since joining the European Union (EU) in 2007. The six-month position provides an opportunity for Romania to raise its standing within the EU. However, Romanias EU presidency could be overshadowed by domestic political turmoil and extern
3、al criticism of its recent justice reforms, which some EU and U.S. officials view as a threat to the rule of law. EU Presidency The Council of the EU is considered a key institution that represents EU member state governments and shares legislative responsibilities with the European Parliament. Meet
4、ings include ministers from each member state whose portfolios correspond to the policy issue under discussion. The EU presidency organizes and helps set the agenda of council meetings and interacts with the European Commission (the EUs executive body) and Parliament on behalf of member states. Seve