After 1998 and 2006, this is now the third time that Austria is holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
This time, the Presidency faces major challenges including • the Brexit negotiations with the U.K., • the debates on the multi-annual financial framework, • progress in completing banking union, • the implementation of the European Security and Migration Agenda, • the fight against terrorism, and • the debate on the future of the European Union.