Italy Takes Over EU Presidency from Greece - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras (L) delivers a speech at the conclusion of Greece`s European Council Presidency during a closing ceremony. Photo by EPA/ALEXANDROS VLACHOS.

Italy takes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, where governments are represented in the EU decision-making, over from Greece on 1 July.

On 2 July, Italy's prime minister Matteo Renzi will address the European Parliament's plenary session to announce his government's priorities for the six-month period. Italian ministers will later discuss these priorities in detail in EP committee meetings.

Among the goals of the Italian leadership are to change the direction of European policy priorities, to make united Europe once again a "dream", to work for economic growth and improvement of the image of the EU institutions, News.bg reminds.

The priorities include fighting unemployment, creating new industrial policy aimed at increasing the competitiveness of small and medium businesses as well as very appropriate problem to Italy of illegal immigration. The country is determined to make the adoption of single integrated European immigration policies to ensure the protection of the borders of Europe and the development of a unified mechanism for refugee status.

Traditionally, the outgoing Greek presidency debates with MEPs the results of its work at the helm of the Council.