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BackBelgium took over the EU Council Presidency from Spain at the beginning of the year. Six priorities were defined under the motto "Protect, Strengthen, Prepare", which are to be advanced over the next six months. Due to the upcoming elections to the EU Parliament, this is a challenging time for the Council Presidency, during which as many dossiers as possible are to be finalised.
The Belgian Presidency is focussing on six priorities: Defending the rule of law, democracy and unity; Strengthening our competitiveness; Pursuing a green and just transition; Reinforcing our social and health agenda; Protecting people and borders and Promoting a global Europe.
A green and just transition
With regard to the environment, work is continuing on the implementation of the Green Deal under the Belgian Presidency. Elections to the EU Parliament are due in June 2024. As many dossiers as possible that are currently in trilogue are to be finalised before the end of the legislative period. These include among other the regulations on packaging and packaging waste and CO2 standards for heavy-duty goods vehicles (agreement on 18 January) as well as the directives on the treatment of urban waste water and clean air. A Council position (general approach) is to be found for the revision of the Waste Framework Directive.
The Belgian Presidency wants to take decisive and holistic action in the fight against the climate crisis and leave no one behind. A focus will be placed on a just transition in the climate and energy transition. The resilience of the European economy is to be strengthened by reducing dependencies. This also includes improving resource efficiency and expanding the circular economy. This also comprises the Directives on a Right to Repair and Green Claims, which are to be finalised or decisively advanced under the Belgian Presidency.
Reinforcing our social and health agenda
Building on the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Belgian Presidency wants to pursue an ambitious social agenda. Social dialogue is to be strengthened at all levels. At the end of January, a social partner summit will take place in Val Duchesse, as announced by Commission President von der Leyen in her State of the Union speech last year. Conferences on the social economy (in February) and the European Pillar of Social Rights (in April) are also on the programme. Another defined goal is to strengthen the social dimension of the European Semester. Specifically, this involves the first implementation of the framework for social convergence and the potential of social investment.
At the end of 2023, a political agreement on the EU Platform Work Directive, which focuses on the employment status of platform workers, was reached in the trialogue negotiations, but was subsequently not supported by the Council. Negotiations are therefore continuing under the Belgian Presidency. The Chamber of Labour has been calling for years for a legal framework for workers employed via platforms, such as bicycle messengers, in order to reduce bogus self-employment and ensure minimum standards. The finalisation of the directive is a defined goal of the Belgian Presidency.
An agreement was reached under the Spanish Presidency on the EU Supply Chain Law, which obliges companies to exercise due diligence in supply chains with regard to human rights and environmental standards. The directive will be formally finalised under the Belgian Presidency.
Strengthening our competitiveness and a promoting a global Europe
Part of the programme is to strengthen the internal market. Work on completing the internal energy market and the capital markets union is to be continued under the Belgian Presidency. Critical sectors are to be strengthened in order to reduce economic dependencies. At the same time, an ambitious and balanced trade policy is to be pursued. With regard to digital affairs, the Presidency plans to finalise the Regulation on Artificial Intelligence. Now that the trilogue agreement has been reached, the technical details must be negotiated and the proposal confirmed by Council and Parliament.
Defending the rule of law, democracy and protecting people and borders
The Presidency also places a special focus on the involvement of citizens, especially young people. A national citizen participation programme has been set up as part of which Belgian EU citizens develop their visions for the EU. Belgium would also like to support the EU accession candidates in their accession efforts. In order to fully retain the capacity to act, institutional changes are to be developed with a view to the future of the EU.
Overarching topics are the completion of the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework and economic governance. A political agreement on the Council's position on economic governance was reached at the end of 2023. Here, too, the Belgian Presidency would like to contribute to a swift conclusion.
The end of the legislative period in the European Parliament
To ensure that pending legislative proposals can be finalised before the start of the new legislative period of the European Parliament, ongoing trialogue negotiations must be concluded in good time. From April onwards, MEPs will embark on the election campaign. The Council's work is not directly affected by the European Parliament election; negotiations in the Council working parties will continue from April onwards. Crisis management in relation to Ukraine and the Middle East will continue to take centre stage during the Belgian Council Presidency. In addition, the Council will also set priorities for the coming legislative period under the Belgian Presidency and, among other, support the work on the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029.
Further information:
Official website of the Belgian Council Presidency
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