On January 1, 2024, Belgium will take over from Spain and assume the Presidency of the European Union for a period of six months. Melvyn Mangion explains it all here.
The Belgian Presidency will work towards better protecting European citizens, strengthening the cooperation, and preparing our shared future. It will focus on six thematic areas, and will provide particular attention to maintaining the support to Ukraine. It will support the adoption of the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029 and prepare discussions on the future of the European Union. The thematic areas are:
Security, Defence, Migration
1. Security, defence and migration. The Presidency aims to address all remaining legislative files associated with the new European pact on migration and asylum. The Presidency will work to strengthen the external dimension of migration and asylum, especially by working closely with African partners. Particular attention will be payed to the fight against organised crime, preventing and tackling terrorism and violent extremism.
Rule of Law and Democracy
2. Rule of law and democracy. The Presidency will strengthen the empowerment and inclusion of citizens, with a special focus on youth participation, as well as work on the European education area, quality of education, lifelong learning, mobility and sport. It will promote democratic values by reinforcing media freedom and pluralism, stimulating the digital transformation of the cultural and creative sectors, and exploring the links between culture, heritage and European identity.
Competitiveness
3. Strengthening our competitiveness. The Presidency aims to enhance the role of research, development, and innovation to become a frontrunner in developing and commercialising tailored solutions that boost key EU value chains’ resilience and competitiveness
Social Policy, Employment, Health
4. Social policy, employment and health. Building on the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Belgian Presidency aims to equip the EU with an ambitious social agenda to foster a European society that is more inclusive, gender-equal and fair for all. The Presidency will emphasise the importance of strengthening the EU’s resilience to future health threats by reinforcing crisis management, supporting healthcare systems, and improving the security of medicines supply
Going Green
5. The green transition. Carrying on with the Green Deal, the Presidency will place the energy and climate transition at the heart of its priorities. The EU must fully leverage its energy efficiency potential across the entire economy and rapidly advance the development of renewable and low-carbon energy sources and carriers.
EU Future
6. The future of the European Union. The multilateral system and the rules-based international order face increasing strain from geopolitical confrontation. This includes the return of open war on the European continent. To adapt to this reality, the Presidency will vigorously pursue the efforts made by the EU to strengthen its resilience and autonomy and defend its interests and values.
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