FOREIGN MINISTERS AGREE NEW LIST OF EU PRESIDENCIES.

EU Foreign Ministers have agreed a new list of team Presidencies for conducting the EU's political agenda. It defines which three Member States will share the running of EU business for nine 18-month periods, from 2007 until 2020. Provisionally agreed by national representatives on November 24, the list was finalised by EU Foreign Ministers during their meeting on December 13 in Brussels.

The agreement determines the three-strong Member State teams for preparing and chairing EU Councils and meetings. If the new arrangements foreseen under the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe come into force, there will be an appointed President of the European Council for 30 months, which can be extended for a further 30 months. The European Foreign Minister will chair all General Affairs/External Relations Council meetings. Chairing of the other meetings - and hundreds of Council...