2013 in the European Union explained

Events in the year 2013 in the European Union.

2013 was designated as:

• European Year of Citizens

Incumbents

• President of the European Council – Herman Van Rompuy^[1]
• Commission President – José Manuel Barroso
• Council Presidency – Ireland (Jan – Jun 2013), Lithuania (July – Dec 2013)
• Parliament President – Martin Schulz
• High Representative – Catherine Ashton

Events

January

• 1 January
  • Ireland takes over the six-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Cyprus. The Presidency's three main priorities are stability, jobs and growth.

July

• 1 July
  • Croatia joins the European Union, following ratification of the 2011 Accession Treaty by all other EU countries. This seventh enlargement of the EU, brings the total number of member countries to 28, and official languages to 24.^[2]
  • Lithuania takes over the six-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Ireland.

European Capital of Culture

The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year, during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong European dimension.

• Marseille, France
• Košice, Slovakia

See also

• History of the European Union
• Timeline of European Union history

Notes and References

1. Web site: Herman Van Rompuy re-elected president. Council of the European Union. 1 March 2012. 5 May 2013.
2. Web site: EU welcomes Croatia's 'historic moment' on eve of entry — EUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politics. www.eubusiness.com.