European Union - Belgium has taken over the EU Council Presidency
At the turn of the year, Belgium took over the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council. The country's government representatives will therefore chair numerous ministerial meetings until the end of June and mediate in the event of differences of opinion between the other EU states.
In the coming weeks, issues such as the long-term EU budget and the financing of further aid for Ukraine will have to be clarified. Under the Spanish EU Council Presidency, which ended on Sunday, there was no agreement on this as originally planned.
Belgium wants to provide its own impetus in the discussion on EU reforms, among other things. Reforms are necessary in order to maintain a functioning EU, strengthen its unity and increase its ability to act, the government announced on taking over the EU Council Presidency.
The presidency is considered to be particularly challenging for Belgium due to the European elections in June. This is likely to mean that the months leading up to this will be characterized by election campaigns. Belgium is also electing a new parliament at the same time as the European elections.
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During the EU Council Presidency, Belgium will host numerous meetings in Brussels, the capital of Belgium and home to many EU institutions. The current dispute over the EU budget and Ukraine's aid funding, which could not be resolved under the previous Spanish Presidency, is expected to be addressed. Belgium, as the current EU Council Presidency holder, aims to contribute its perspective to the ongoing discussions on EU reforms, aiming to keep the EU functional, strengthen its unity, and enhance its capacity for action.
Source: www.stern.de
