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On January 1, 2024, Belgium took over the presidency of the European Union from Spain, as reported on the official EU website.
“During our presidency, we will continue to pursue the goals outlined in both our Belgian priorities and the ‘Trio’ program, which we share with Spain and Hungary. We will also build on initiatives launched during Spain’s presidency,” stated the Belgian government in a release.
The EU presidency rotates every six months among member countries, and Belgium will hold the position from January to June 2024 before passing it on to Hungary.
Belgium has identified six priorities for its EU presidency:
- Safeguarding the rule of law, democracy, and unity.
- Strengthening European competitiveness.
- Ensuring a green transition.
- Enhancing the social agenda and healthcare priorities.
- Protecting people and borders.
- Promoting a global Europe.
Previously, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib presented their country’s presidency program to the EU. The program includes discussions on EU reform, support for innovation and economic competitiveness, protection of external borders, and promotion of peace.
De Croo emphasized that Belgium’s presidency will focus on internal reforms necessary for the efficiency of the EU and considering potential future expansions to the East and the Western Balkans in the southeast.
However, this reform will not concentrate on narrowing consensus and expanding the application of a qualified majority, ideas that have been discussed but lack unanimous support from all member states.
At the level of foreign ministries in Belgium and Ukraine, it was previously noted that Ukraine’s EU membership would be among the priorities during Belgium’s EU presidency in the first half of 2024.
The Gaze publication previously reported that Belgium allocated 2 million euros for nuclear security in Ukraine and approved the 18th package of military aid. The new package includes winter clothing, precision weapons with necessary optical equipment, explosive devices for disabling field obstacles, missiles, and communication systems for previously supplied M113 vehicles.
Watch more current news on the website The Gaze
