The UK held the Presidency of the EU from 1 July 2005 until 31 December 2005. The official website, at www.eu2005.gov.uk, will remain online for reference.

The Council Agenda 2005

The UK took forward the agenda inherited from the preceding Luxembourg Presidency within the overall framework set out in the Council's Multi-Annual Strategic Programme 2004-2006. This document was agreed between the six Member States holding the Presidency during that three year period. The UK and Luxembourg have agreed an Operational Programme for the Council for 2005 which sets out priorities for 2005 in more detail. The broad policy areas covered were:

• EU environment policy
• Economic and social reform (the so-called Lisbon Agenda)
• Agriculture and fisheries policy
• Freedom, security and justice issues
• Asylum and immigration policy
• Future enlargement of the EU
• Global security, stability and prosperity
• Common foreign and security policy

Further information:

www.eu2005.gov.uk {ExternalLink:1} {ExternalLink:2}