Belgium takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union
For the next six months, Belgium will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a position it hasn't held since 2010. The Belgian Presidency will be particularly important as it will steer the debates on the European Council’s Strategic Agenda and lead up to the European Parliament elections in June 2024.
From 1 January to 30 June 2024, Belgium holds for the 13th time the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Belgium succeeds Spain in this and precedes Hungary. Together, these three countries form the presidency trio, with a common programme. However, each Member State has the freedom to put its stamp on the Council as president and Belgium has drawn up its supplementary priorities.
Under the motto “Protect, Strengthen, Prepare”, the Belgian Presidency outlines six priorities:
- Defending the rule of law, democracy, and unity
- Strengthening competitiveness
- Pursuing a green and just transition
- Reinforcing social and health agendas
- Protecting people and borders
- Promoting a global Europe.
With elections looming for Belgium and the EU on 9 June, the pressure is on the presiding country to wrap up some 150 files remaining on the table.
For further details on the priorities and main directions of the Belgian Presidency in the area of asylum and migration, please read this article previously published on this website.