From 1 January to 30 June 2024, Belgium hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (the "Council"). As President of the Council, Belgium lead the European agenda and promote cooperation among the Member States. The aim is to strengthen the European Union and make progress in several areas, such as climate change, economic growth and social cohesion. Belgium then act as a neutral mediator to lead the legislative work and seek compromises among the EU Member States. This news item shows extracts from the meeting between the EP Conference of Presidents and the Belgian Government and from the press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister.

Brussels

meeting

press conference

EP conference of presidents

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

DE CROO, Alexander (BE)

Belgian Presidency of the EU (T)

president's agenda

EP Conference of Presidents meets the upcoming Belgian Presidency: extracts from the meeting with the Belgian Government; and extracts from the press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/73560176/1701161094593_I249759Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Arrivals of representives from the Belgium Presidency and EP delegation and Roberta METSOLA, EP President , Brussels region, Belgium, 30/11/2023, (4 shots)

Cutaways corridors, Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister and Roberta METSOLA, EP President reaching the presse conference, Brussels region, Belgium, 30/11/2023, (2 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister, Our presidency comes at an important moment, at a moment when we need to respond to the expectations from our countries. That means protecting our people, that means strengthening our economy, that means preparing a shared future. We have important decisions ahead in a way to stabilize our our continent. And really, that will be the priority for the next weeks and the next months.

SOUNDBITE (English), Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister, We are particularly appreciative of the important work that the Parliament is doing and of the valuable contribution of the Parliament in its leadership and its members and in making the democracy function.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The Belgian EU Council presidency comes at a very important time. It will be for you, as you've just said, to close this mandate, to finalize the remaining work, and also ensure the smooth transition to the next one.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Looking back at this mandate, one would say we've had a marathon five year term working on and adopting legislation to make Europe a greener Europe fairer, more competitive geopolitical and fit for the digital age.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The Belgian presidency will mark 20 years since the last EU convention. At that time the convention came from the 2001 Belgian presidency's Laeken Declaration. So we really hope that 23 years later, the Belgian presidency will once again take the lead and we will be your partners right along. Thank you.

Cutaways, press conference with  Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister and Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Brussels region, Belgium, 30/11/2023, (9 shots)

Family photo with Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister Roberta METSOLA, EP President, representives from the Belgium Presidency and EP delegation, Brussels region, Belgium, 30/11/2023, (3 shots)

Cutaways meeting with Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister Roberta METSOLA, EP President, representives from the Belgium Presidency and EP delegation Brussels region, Belgium, 30/11/2023, (9 shots)