Editor
Brussels (Brussels Morning) – The EU Council concluded on 27 June 2024, marking the top of the Belgian six-month presidency. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo highlighted vital achievements, together with Ukraine and Moldova accession negotiations, and addressed inner market competitiveness.
As the EU Council concluded on 27 June 2024, the Belgian six-month presidency additionally ended. The ultimate press gathering of the European Council, which introduced the three newest prime appointments to the European Union (Ursula von der Leyen on the European Commission, António Costa on the European Council, and Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) was additionally an opportunity for Belgian rotating president Alexander De Croo to conclude his six-month presidency, earlier than leaving Viktor Orban and Hungary in management.
What Achievements Marked Belgium’s EU Presidency?
It has been a dynamic six months that progressed many legislative recordsdata and concluded as many as 69. PM Alexander De Croo recalled the development made throughout his tenure, highlighting the numerous achievements such because the opening of accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova and the usefulness of frozen Russian property (resulting from sanctions towards Moscow’s conflict of aggression) to finance Kyiv. The Belgian Presidency, the Prime Minister argues, was additionally in a position to transfer forward on sophisticated and controversial however vital points for the EU, such because the efficiency of the Green Deal and the migration subject.
What Controversial Issues Did Belgium Tackle?
De Croo additionally recalled the intricacy of the second by which the Belgian presidency took over with a combat on the Union’s doorstep and the competitors within the Middle East. In this regard, the Prime Minister accommodated the sanctions the EU imposed towards Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad however on the identical time additionally towards Israeli colonialism within the West Bank.
How Did De Croo Address the EU’s Internal Market?
Concerning the inner market, alternatively, De Croo focused on the progress towards European firms’ exploration for competitiveness. With this in thoughts, the presentation of Enrico Letta’s description, which occurred beneath the Belgian presidency, was extremely related.
What Advice Did De Croo Offer to Viktor Orban?
The Belgian Prime Minister then hoped Viktor Orban, who will formally take over the Presidency on Monday (July 1), all the most effective in his operate. De Croo expressed the assumption that even in the course of the Hungarian semester, the EU can persist in supporting Ukraine and proceed on the trail of the dual inexperienced and digital transition. The Belgian Prime Minister then desired to calm tempers over whether or not the Presidency of the EU Council would fail the Euroskeptic Orban, saying, “Having this put up doesn’t imply you’re the boss of the EU. Instead, you should lead the work.”
De Croo additionally gave a bit of recommendation to his Hungarian colleague: “The European Union is a spot the place it’s a must to make compromises. I recommend it to Orban.” With the European Council comes the way forward for the thirteenth Belgian Presidency of the EU, “For me, it has been an immense privilege and a fantastic honour to be PM in the course of the Belgian presidency,” De Croo expressed movingly. “The EU is greatest place to dwell, however solely by performing collectively can we preserve and enhance our prosperity.”
