At the start of its EU Council Presidency, the country holding the presidency traditionally invites members of the EU Commission for an inaugural visit. This happened today at the Palais Egmont, in Brussels, when Belgium assumed the Presidency of the Council, replacing Spain, on January 1st. “Before we grow, we have to improve”, emphasized the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, at the final press conference.
Rotating Council President De Croo said Belgium would work on a negotiating framework for future enlargements. One of the Belgians' priorities is to prepare the EU for the future through reforms and prepare it for possible enlargement. Von der Leyen announced a European Commission roadmap for the future of the EU.
Von der Leyen and De Croo traveled from Paris to Brussels immediately after the funeral of former Commission President Jacques Delors. Following their opening speeches, Commissioners discussed priorities for the next six months with representatives of the Council Presidency. The agenda included geopolitical topics such as the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine, but also internal EU dossiers.
“We have to become stronger together”
“Delors’ spirit is what we need. We have to become stronger together,” said De Croo. The Union must make decisions faster and use its resources more efficiently. Von der Leyen added that very important dossiers will have to be completed in the coming months.
She cited support for Ukraine as an example. The Commission will present solutions to the Council at the special summit on 1 February to ensure that the planned increase in the EU's multiannual budget is decided – “and as quickly as possible”.
Given that Hungary prevented an agreement at the last December summit, we also have to prepare for other options, said De Croo. His goal, however, is an agreement between all 27 EU countries, which he also believes is possible.