Besides the usual issues on the EU's agenda, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which held the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2015, faced two major challenges, namely, management of migration flows that had reached the EU and security issues in the context of Paris terror attacks. Deepening of the EU's social dimension and strengthening of the EU's competitiveness dominated the legislative agenda.
The Dutch Ambassador claimed that during the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the EU further active efforts would be made with regard to migration issues, with due focus on other Presidency priorities, i.e. Europe as an innovator and job creator; sound and future-proof European finances and a robust eurozone; and a forward-looking policy on climate and energy. In response to the questions by members of the Committees, the Dutch Ambassador stressed that the preservation of the Schengen Area constituted a common value for the EU Member States while firm and reliable protection of the EU's external borders served as one of the main instruments in preserving the Area. The Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union will seek an agreement on the Smart Borders Package.
