As 2024 approaches, Belgium is gearing up to assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union, a responsibility that rotates among EU member states every six months. During its

tenure, Belgium will play a crucial role in organizing and directing the work of various Council formations, setting priorities, and leading the European agenda to promote cooperation between member states.

One of the primary objectives during Belgium's presidency is to strengthen the European Union and make significant progress in areas such as addressing climate change, fostering economic growth, and promoting social cohesion. Moreover, the presidency will focus on enhancing cultural awareness and encouraging public participation to inform citizens and civil society about European policies.

A distinctive feature of Belgium's presidency will be highlighting the cultural component through calls for projects from its various regions, namely Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital region. Additionally, special attention will be given to young people aged 16 to 18, who will be eligible to vote in the upcoming European elections taking place between 6 and 9 June.

The Belgian presidency faces the challenge of concluding ongoing legislative dossiers with the European Parliament before the mandate of the von der Leyen Commission expires in the first three months of 2024. Subsequently, a potential vacuum could arise until the end of the presidency, making timely negotiations crucial during this period.

Unlike EU elections, the presidency is not subject to voting but rotates among member states, providing each country the opportunity to set its priorities on the European agenda and raise its profile and visibility. Belgium has a historical connection to the EU presidency, having held the presidency of the European Economic Community in 1958 when it had six members.

The EU presidency has evolved over time, with the current arrangement involving a trio of presidencies. Each country taking up the presidency collaborates closely with two other countries, and together, they set long-term goals and develop a common agenda for the Council to address over an 18-month period. In this trio arrangement, Spain precedes Belgium in the second half of 2023, while Hungary will follow in the second half of 2024.

While Belgium eagerly embraces its upcoming presidency, there are divided opinions regarding Hungary's turn in the second half of 2024. The European Parliament has voiced concerns over Hungary's lack of respect for the rule of law, leading to doubts and calls for a "solution" from other member states.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo cautions against a Hungarian presidency, emphasizing that the role is not merely a privilege but also a duty. He believes that it obliges a member state to demonstrate its leadership, act as a conciliator, and effectively play its role as president. A luxury position, in his view, could potentially hinder the responsibilities that come with the presidency.

As 2024 draws closer, Belgium's readiness to assume the EU presidency signals its commitment to advancing European unity and progress across various critical issues. The presidency offers a unique platform for Belgium to exert its influence and steer the European agenda towards collective prosperity and cooperation. Photo by Paul Hermans, Wikimedia commons.