Priorities of the Belgian presidency of the Council

Defending the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights was an essential element in the work of the Belgian presidency of the Council. 

The presidency strengthened the empowerment and inclusion of citizens, with a special focus on youth participation, and worked on the European education area, quality of education, lifelong learning, mobility, and sport. It promoted 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. Working together at different levels of government enabled an effective response to a diverse range of needs and challenges, while respecting the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. 

Enlarging the Union aims to make all members stronger. The presidency was committed to supporting candidate countries in their efforts to join the Union. At the same time, it was crucial to prepare the Union’s policies, resources, and decision-making structures for future accessions. 

The Belgian presidency worked to strengthen the EU's internal market and industrial future and continued efforts to complete the capital markets union and the energy union. Particular attention was given to enhancing economic security, reducing harmful dependencies, and promoting technological leadership in critical sectors. 

The presidency aimed to enhance the role of research, development, and innovation to make the EU a frontrunner in developing and commercializing tailored solutions that boosted key EU value chains’ resilience and competitiveness. It worked towards a labor market shaped for the future that enhanced employment rates and stimulated growth. The presidency underscored the significance of both public and private investments and cohesion policy as an essential long-term investment instrument, a catalyst for transformation and convergence, and as cement for the European Union. It paid specific attention to food production autonomy and focused on coherence between the EU’s internal and external policies. 

The EU’s ambitious transition agenda is driven by the urgent need to address the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The Belgian presidency underscored the importance of decisive and holistic action, leaving no one behind. 

Continuing with the Green Deal, the presidency placed the energy and climate transition at the heart of its priorities. To reduce vulnerabilities to climate change, the presidency enhanced the Union’s circular economy and adaptive and preparedness capacities and promoted sustainable water management. 

Geopolitical and extreme climate events highlighted the need for an accelerated and inclusive energy transition. This transition aimed to deliver affordable energy to citizens and companies, ensure strong and reliable security of supply, and contribute to the objective of climate neutrality. The EU leveraged its energy efficiency potential across the entire economy and rapidly advanced the development of renewable and low-carbon energy sources and carriers. Increased investments to deliver a flexible, integrated European energy network were essential. 

Building on the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Belgian Presidency aimed to equip the EU with an ambitious social agenda to foster a European society that was more inclusive, gender-equal, and fair for all. 

The presidency strengthened social dialogue at all levels, promoted fair labor mobility, mental health at work, and access to sustainable social protection. It strengthened the social dimension of the European semester, with particular attention to the first implementation of the Social Convergence Framework and the potential of social investments and promoted a framework conducive to the development of the social economy. The presidency advocated for increased political actions to guarantee access to decent and affordable housing for all. 

Furthermore, the presidency supported the evaluation of the EU’s crisis preparedness, strengthened the security of medicines supply, and developed a strategy to boost the EU’s health and care workforce. To improve citizens’ access to affordable medicines, the presidency worked to better address unmet medical needs. 

The presidency addressed all remaining legislative files associated with the new European pact on migration and asylum. The Pact reinforced trust between member states in a spirit of responsibility and solidarity, brought legal clarity to people arriving in the EU, and ensured EU citizens of the humane and effective management of migration, in line with EU values and international law. It also offered a common and fast reaction to migration crises and improved legal pathways to the EU. 

The presidency strengthened the external dimension of migration and asylum, especially by working closely with African partners, as part of a broader effort to continue developing a mutually beneficial partnership between the two continents, in full respect of international law. 

The presidency paid particular attention to the fight against organized crime, preventing and tackling terrorism and violent extremism, and bolstering the EU’s resilience to crises and to new and hybrid challenges. 

Safeguarding citizens necessitated discussions on the future of European security and defense, moving towards a more integrated Union approach. The focus was on strengthening the European defense technological and industrial base, including exploring the possibility of developing a European Defense Industry Strategy. 

The multilateral system and the rules-based international order face increasing strain from geopolitical confrontation, including the return of open war on the European continent. To adapt to this reality, the presidency vigorously pursued the EU's efforts to strengthen its resilience and autonomy and defend its interests and values. 

In this more assertive approach, the presidency emphasized that openness, dialogue, and cooperation were at the heart of the EU’s conception of its interests. To achieve its foreign policy goals, the EU fully mobilized its economic, security, and defense capabilities, as well as its development and humanitarian assistance capacity. This included an ambitious and balanced trade policy that was open, sustainable, and assertive. This required a reinforced rules-based multilateral trading system. In line with the 2030 Agenda, the presidency promoted health care system strengthening as a basis to reach universal health coverage, while ensuring equitable access to innovative, resilient, sustainable, and high-quality health care services and products for all.