The success of a presidency of the Council of the European Union relies heavily on its ability to ensure momentum and achieve results. The presidency has to deliver results within complex formal and informal processes of negotiation and elaborate cross-cultural and interpersonal communication.

This two-and-a-half day course covers the strategic, practical and interpersonal aspects of the complex formal and informal dynamics of the negotiation processes under the leadership of Council Presidencies. It advises members of ‘presidency teams’ on how to get results collectively and survive individually. It focuses on communication and negotiation performance.

Note: Good prior knowledge of EU decision-making is required to take full advantage of the training. A comprehensive and detailed understanding of the full EU decision-making process can be acquired in a separate course.

What you will learn

The key objective of the programme is to update and upgrade, in a practical way, the tactical and relevant strategic presidency skills of the participants.

After this training, they will be appropriately equipped to:

find their place, role and added value during the presidency;
open, conduct, lead or assist meetings from presenting the agenda to proposing a presidency compromise text;
read the positions, interventions and tactics of national delegations;
efficiently manage the relations with the Council Secretariat, the Commission, the national delegations and EP representatives within the required formal procedures and the established informal processes;
acquire and try out negotiation techniques to bridge the gaps, strike deals and craft compromises, and overcome stalemates;
prepare for the negotiating culture and habits of inter-institutional negotiations, whether technical or political.