Luxembourg takes over EU presidency at critical moment

Political group speakers debated the priorities for the next six months under the incoming Luxembourg presidency of the Council with Prime Minister Xavier Bettel i and Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker i on Wednesday morning.

Mr Bettel pointed to youth unemployment and migration, alongside the Greek crisis, as the main challenges facing the EU.

"We are taking over the presidency at a critical point for the Union. The challenges we are facing are serious," he said, before detailing the seven priority areas for action under the Luxembourg presidency.

Luxembourg, a founding member state of the EU, is taking over the six-month rotating presidency of the Council for the 12th time, from 1 July to 31 December 2015.

Watch the debate and the press conference in full via VOD or EbS+

REF. : 20150703IPR73915