We send you the 2009 Czech EU Presidency weekly Newsletter with information about the most important events. Thank you for your interest. More information about the Presidency is available at Czech Presidency.

This week’s events:

Minister Schwarzenberg leads EU Troika delegation to Moscow

On 11 February President of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg will lead a delegation of the EU Troika that will negotiate with representatives of the Russian Federation in Moscow.

http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/news/minister-schwarzenberg-leads-eu-troika-delegation-to-moscow-9166/

Official visit of President of the Slovak Republic

http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/press-releases/official-visit-of-president-of-the-slovak-republic—9110/

EU Finance Ministers to hold Ecofin Council meeting in Brussels

EU economics and finance ministers will meet for the second time this year on Tuesday 10 February for the meeting of the Ecofin Council. The meeting will be chaired by Czech Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek.

http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/news/eu-finance-ministers-to-hold-ecofin-council-meeting-in-brussels-8973/

Last week’s events:

EU Presidency Statement concerning the Swiss referendum on the Agreement on the free movement of persons

The Presidency of the Council of the EU welcomes the positive outcome of the referendum held on 8 February 2009 by the Swiss Confederation.

http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/cfsp-statements/eu-presidency-statement-concerning-the-swiss-referendum-on-the-agreement-on-the-free-movement-of-persons-9176/

Family Ministers: Focus needed on interest of child, quality care and freedom for families

A very fruitful debate which took place during the meeting has shown that the Member States consider a debate on childcare to be very desirable.

http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/news/family-ministers:-focus-needed-on-interest-of-child—quality-care-and-freedom-for-families-9022/

Czech Presidency calls for coordinated support of EU car industry

The Czech EU Presidency aims to give a new impetus to European car industry, a key sector that has been seriously hit by the global economic crisis.

http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/news/czech-presidency-calls-for-coordinated-support-of-eu-car-industry—8826/

Twelve points on Czech Presidency’s effort to open discussion on Barcelona Objectives

Response of the Czech Presidency to criticism from the European Parliament

http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/news/twelve-points-on-czech-presidency_s-effort-to-open-discussion-on-barcelona-objectives-8767/

The EU must remain committed to further liberalization of international trade

Participants in the Conference on Trade Liberalisation in Prague discussed a number of issues faced by the world economy in general and, in particular, the role of Europe in a global economy.

http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/news/the-eu-must-remain-committed-to-further-liberalization-of-international-trade—8749/

Dusík: Obama Administration will get actively involved in the climate discussion

President Barack Obama’s team are clearly aware of the importance of the UN climate change summit to take place in Copenhagen in December this year.

http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/news/dusik:-obama-administration-will-get-actively-involved-in-the-climate-discussion-8741/