President of the European Council Gerhard Schröder (Jan – Jun 1999) Paavo Lipponen (July – Dec 1999) Commission President - Jacques Santer (to 15 Mar 1999) Manuel Marín (15 Mar-17 Sep 1999) Romano Prodi (from 17 Sep 1999) Council Presidency - Germany (Jan – Jun 1999) and Finland (July – Dec 1999)