Belgium has assumed the challenging task of presiding over the Council of the European Union (EU) for a critical six-month term in 2024. The road ahead is laden with challenges, particularly with the European Parliament gearing up for elections in June, intensifying the urgency for the presidency to navigate through numerous legislative agendas.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo disclosed in December that approximately 150 legislative dossiers are currently under consideration. This point was emphasized during the official presentation of the program for the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
In its 13th rotation in this crucial role, Belgium has outlined six key priorities. Topping the agenda are finalizing the EU’s migration pact, propelling the green economic transition, and reaching a consensus on a new EU aid package for Ukraine.
However, Belgium faces a challenging start as European Council President Charles Michel unexpectedly announced his early departure to run in the European parliamentary elections. This adds an extra layer of complexity, necessitating negotiations for a new EU Council President before July. Otherwise, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban may temporarily assume the position after Belgium’s term.
Another formidable challenge for Belgium will be engaging in discussions with the 27 member states to define new rules governing their budgetary discipline. The mid-term review of the EU’s 2021-2027 multiannual budget and the EU support project for Ukraine, involving a 50 billion euros (54.73 billion U.S. dollars) facility for the period 2024-2027, is also on the agenda.
“The project to support Ukraine is a priority for the EU,” emphasized Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, at the inauguration of the Belgian Presidency. However, there is dissent among EU leaders regarding the inclusion of this project in the mid-term review of the EU’s multiannual budget, resisted by Viktor Orban.
To address this issue, von der Leyen urged Belgium to swiftly transform its position into a political decision, with an eye on the extraordinary European summit on Feb. 1.
Another major challenge for the Belgian EU Presidency is finalizing the EU’s asylum and migration pact and ensuring its implementation across all member states.
At the core of the Belgian Presidency’s agenda is the regulation of clean industry and the establishment of new budgetary rules for EU member states to stimulate investment.
Preparations for future EU enlargements are also on the Belgian agenda, with accession negotiations open with Ukraine and Moldova and candidate status granted to Georgia in December 2023. Belgium aims to drive these issues forward, acknowledging the process will be lengthy.
During the inauguration of the Belgian Presidency, Prime Minister De Croo emphasized that “anticipation and strategic planning will be the Belgian pillars in all spheres of EU action.” This also encompasses the need for internal reform of the Union to preserve its capacity for future action, he added. (1 euro= 1.09 dollar)
