Brussels (Brussels Morning) – The EU Council concluded on 27 June 2024, marking the end of the Belgian six-month presidency. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo highlighted significant achievements, including Ukraine and Moldova accession negotiations, and addressed internal market competitiveness.
As the EU Council concluded on 27 June 2024, the Belgian six-month presidency also ended. The final press gathering of the European Council, which presented the three latest top appointments to the European Union (Ursula von der Leyen at the European Commission, António Costa at the European Council, and Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) was also a chance for Belgian rotating president Alexander De Croo to conclude his six-month presidency, before leaving Viktor Orban and Hungary in control.
What Achievements Marked Belgium’s EU Presidency?
It has been a dynamic six months that progressed many legislative files and concluded as many as 69. PM Alexander De Croo recalled the advancement made during his tenure, highlighting the significant achievements such as the opening of accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova and the usefulness of frozen Russian assets (due to sanctions against Moscow’s war of aggression) to finance Kyiv. The Belgian Presidency, the Prime Minister argues, was also able to move ahead on complicated and controversial but important issues for the EU, such as the performance of the Green Deal and the migration issue.
What Controversial Issues Did Belgium Tackle?
De Croo also recalled the intricacy of the moment in which the Belgian presidency took over with a fight on the Union’s doorstep and the competition in the Middle East. In this regard, the Prime Minister accommodated the sanctions the EU imposed against Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad but at the same time also against Israeli colonialism in the West Bank.
How Did De Croo Address the EU’s Internal Market?
Concerning the internal market, on the other hand, De Croo concentrated on the progress toward European companies’ exploration for competitiveness. With this in mind, the presentation of Enrico Letta’s description, which took place under the Belgian presidency, was highly relevant.
What Advice Did De Croo Offer to Viktor Orban?
The Belgian Prime Minister then hoped Viktor Orban, who will officially take over the Presidency on Monday (July 1), all the best in his function. De Croo expressed the belief that even during the Hungarian semester, the EU can persist in supporting Ukraine and continue on the path of the twin green and digital transition. The Belgian Prime Minister then desired to calm tempers over whether the Presidency of the EU Council would fail the Euroskeptic Orban, saying, “Having this post does not mean you are the boss of the EU. Instead, you must lead the work.”
De Croo also gave a piece of advice to his Hungarian colleague: “The European Union is a place where you have to make compromises. I suggest it to Orban.” With the European Council comes the future of the thirteenth Belgian Presidency of the EU, “For me, it has been an immense privilege and a great honour to be PM during the Belgian presidency,” De Croo expressed movingly. “The EU is best place to live, but only by performing together can we maintain and improve our prosperity.”
