The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is one of the most important challenges resulting from membership of the European Union. It is a prestigious and demanding role within which the presiding country holds meetings at all levels of the European Union Council for 6 months and it helps ensure work continuity. The rotation of the presidency amongst the member states is carried in groups of three states. The presidential triad decides the long term objectives and prepares the common program which determines the issues and primary questions to be discussed by the Council within the next 18 months. On this basis, each of the three countries generates its own more detailed 6-month program. In December 2004, the order of the countries to hold the presidency was set by the Council of the European Union considering their diversity and geographical balance. The triad in the order of Netherlands, Slovakia and Malta will hold the presidency in 2016 and the first half of 2017. Slovakia will take over its historically first presidency of the Council of the European Union from July until December 2016 mostly leading negotiations concerning new European legislation and current political issues. The main task within the Council of the European Union will be to negotiate compromises between the member states in European politics. Outwardly, Slovakia will represent these even in relation to other European institutions like the European Commission and the European Parliament.
Postage stamps are usually issued to commemorate important national events. Undoubtedly, the historically first Slovak presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2016 belongs to these events. The author of the unique postage stamp of the Slovak presidency of The Council of European Union is Peter Biľak who is one of the world’s most recognised contemporary graphic artists. The postage stamp depicts Slovakia which is famous for its variety of natural beauty amongst which forests, covering more than 40% of the country, represent a significant part of the natural riches.

Ministry of foreign and European affairs of the Slovak republic