Belgian Presidency of the EU: what is important to know

As mentioned earlier, each member of the bloc can preside over the EU Council for six months.

Countries replace each other on a rotating basis.

Belgium will lead the EU from January to June this year.

After that, the chairmanship will pass to Hungary, which is known to have a pro-Russian stance and to try to block all important decisions on Ukraine.

It is important to understand that recently, the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Hadja Lahbib, presented their country's programme for the EU Council Presidency.

First of all, it will focus on reforming the EU, stimulating innovation and economic competitiveness, protecting the bloc's external borders, and promoting peace.

According to de Croo, his country wants to focus on internal reforms that are crucial to keeping the bloc functioning, as well as on the potential expansion of the EU to the east and the Western Balkans to the southeast.

What can Ukraine expect from presidency of Belgium in European Union

It is important to understand that Belgium, like most other EU countries, is actively supporting Ukraine amid its war with Russia.

That is why the heads of the Belgian and Ukrainian foreign ministries have already agreed that Ukraine's accession to the EU will be among the priorities of Belgium's presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2024.

Interestingly, according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, his country's presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2024 will be "more peacekeeping" and its goal is to "occupy Brussels".

More on the topic

Category

Politics

Publication date

26 December 2023

Додати до обраного

When will negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU start?

Witkoff told what he talked about with Putin

According to a Trump spokesman, he discussed with Putin steps that could end the war in Ukraine.

It was also about creating new business opportunities.

Witkoff also began to claim that the Russian dictator had approached him with a request to secure "permanent peace," which, he said, "took us some time to get to."

Moreover, the American envoy added that the key to a peace agreement revolves around "five territories."

The latter also emphasized that "we could be on the verge of something that would be very, very important for the world as a whole."

More on the topic

Category

Politics

Publication date

today at 09:33

Додати до обраного

Trump responded to Zelensky's offer to buy Patriot

The White House

Category

Events

Publication date

today at 10:05

Додати до обраного

Watch: Over 100 drones attacked various regions of Russia

Category

Politics

Publication date

today at 10:33

Додати до обраного

The US Congress has prepared a special bill regarding Ukraine

Russia continues to destroy Ukrainian culture

The aggressor country is actively stealing Ukrainian cultural heritage.

This applies to both archaeological finds and museum collections.

According to the minister, Russia appropriated them for itself, ignoring all existing norms of international law.

The head of the department also noted that, thanks to colleagues from different countries, these stolen artifacts are being returned.

As Tochytskyi noted, during trips abroad, he was often given these items.

The minister drew attention to the fact that the Ukrainian authorities first imposed sanctions against cultural, museum and other figures of Russia in February.