The Netherlands took over the Council Presidency of the EU on 1 January 2016 and will hold it until the end of June 2016. Having presented its programme for the coming six months, these overarching priorities have been highlighted:
With regard to sport policy, the Presidency will put the integrity of sport on the agenda, in line with the EU Work Plan for Sport 2014-2017. The focus will be on the organization and legacy-building of major international sporting events, in particular looking at how this can be done with positive social, economic and sustainable returns that can generate public support. The Presidency will work closely with the sports sector and organize different events to promote anti-doping, good governance and transparency in sport.
A general objective related to sport will be the integration of migrants and the role of education and youth work in combating youth radicalization. The Presidency underlines the importance of sport as a tool to engage with young people.
Other policy issues relevant for sport are the following:
In addition, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta, which will hold the next three Presidencies of the EU Council (known collectively as the Trio Presidency), have drawn up an 18-month agenda focusing on the integrity of sports, sports diplomacy and volunteering in sports. The challenge of migration and refugees will remain high on the agenda for the Dutch, Slovak and Maltese Presidencies and sport will play an important tool in this context.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Program of the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The EOC EU Office is the House of European Sport, representing the European Olympic Committees (EOC), the IOC and other major sport organisations to the European institutions in Brussels.
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