Two MEPs, Anne E. Jensen and Jean-Pierre Audy, examine the Danish Presidency of the EU Council a few days before it hands over the reins to Cyprus.

Interview: The Danish Presidency review

The Danish EU Council Presidency  is ending.

Before the handover to Cyprus on 1 July  it's time to assess it.

We asked Anne Jensen  from Denmark, with the ALDE Group,

and Jean-Pierre Audy from France,  with the EPP Group.

The Chairman of the EPP Group said  the Danish Presidency was already over

in reaction to the EU Council's decision  on the revision of the Schengen rules.

I fully understand why  my colleagues reacted very fiercely.

It was both the way things were handled  and the way they were informed,

and the feeling of  perhaps Europe breaking apart.

So I think that it was quite understandable

that there were  these very harsh reactions.

But I think also afterwards there has been  a general tendency in Parliament

to say it was not just the Danish  Presidency, it was actually the Council.

So it was somewhat  shooting the messenger.

The Danish Presidency got a compromise  in the Council. That was its job.

If the Parliament has objections,  we can go to court.

But I found this political agitation excessive

in relation to  the modification of the legal basis.

The Danish Presidency doesn't support  the tax on financial transactions.

Do you think that's a good or a bad thing?

because you will see  movement of transactions.

I must say,  generally in my country, in Denmark,

there is scepticism surrounding the FTT.

This is also an issue with the EU Council.

It's not directly within  the competence of the ministers.

There's a problem between  this EU Council and this Presidency.

It's up to the heads of state  and government to set the right area.

The minimum area  would seem to be the eurozone.

If it's not the eurozone,  let's use enhanced cooperation

to apply this tax  across the widest possible area.

Which success will you remember  from this rotating Presidency?

I know the Danish Presidency  would like to be remembered very much

for its efforts on climate policies  and the energy efficiency directive

for which they managed to find a solution.

We would have liked it to be more  ambitious from the Danish side,

but there was a solution that will move us  further on, so it was a good achievement.

in an extraordinarily difficult situation.

Since the post of EU Council President  was created,

don't the rotating Presidencies  lack visibility?

I think in the areas I've been working in

and willing to interact very well  with Parliament.

Of course, you can see with what  happened with the Schengen Agreement

a lack of understanding  between Council and Parliament,

I don't know whether you can put that  down to a lack of good information.

I don't think it's that simple,  but certainly something went wrong.

for teaching governments  and national administrations.

Once all the States have been through  the rotating Presidency

and for the EU Council  to lead ministerial coordination

A lot of issues are still being worked on,  particularly the EU budget for 2014-2020.

Which Presidency will succeed  in resolving this issue?

There's a big wish  from our side in Parliament

to see that it's resolved  under the Cypriot Presidency

and eventually Mr Rompuy will have  a meeting of the European Council

It has to be done at the latest  under the Irish Presidency.

We have to wait for  the German elections.

The work must be prepared  and then we'll wait for...

The Cypriot Presidency will no doubt  move negotiations forward in meetings,