The Bruxelles-Capitale region is taking the opportunity of the Belgian Presidency to promote local and regional authorities at the heart of European debate. The European Union cannot face up to current and future global challenges without the involvement of all levels of power in the performance of its policies.
The priorities of Brussels as part of the Belgian Presidency are based around five areas linked to the Europe 2020 strategy, as well as a sixth arising from the host region status of the European institutions:
- Bruxelles-Capitale, an innovative city in research and development
- Bruxelles-Capitale, an inclusive city-region
- Bruxelles-Capitale, an urban region
- Bruxelles-Capitale, a resolutely sustainable city-region
- Bruxelles-Capitale, a dynamic city-region at the heart of European Union politics
- Brussels, capital of the European Union
Research
The region is making efforts to develop a proactive vision of European research policy by reaffirming the importance of research in renewing the Lisbon Strategy (Europe 2020). Amongst other things, it will support the principle of setting a research and development expenditure objective and attempt to push forward the European Research Area (ERA).
An inclusive city-region
The region is developing a sustainable, solid city project as part of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. It is also part of the new Europe 2020 objectives which aim to increase employment in Brussels and combat poverty. Special attention will be paid to the weakest groups in society, including the under qualified and young people.
An urban region
Like other European metropolitan regions, Brussels is a driving force for growth that has an influence far beyond its borders. The region is now facing some particularly acute economic, social and environmental problems. The region will try to create real synergies between the future structural funds and other European policies, especially research and innovation, transport and the environment.
A sustainable city
Meeting the current needs of citizens and enabling future generations to live well: this is the objective of Bruxelles-Capitale in terms of sustainable development. Energy efficiency, mobility, sustainable consumption and production and sustainable housing will all be at the heart of the region's proposals for tomorrow's Brussels.
A dynamic city-region at the heart of European politics
This dynamic has grown since the Lisbon Treaty came into force. This enables local and regional authorities to directly integrate with the European decision-making process. The region will place special importance on the challenge of multi-level governance to put the new Europe 2020 Strategy into practice. The success of tomorrow's Europe mainly depends on the ability of local and regional authorities to take this strategy on board.
Defending the role of local and regional authorities will also be brought about through sector by sector. Brussels will highlight the special conditions for the city, region and capital in various European themes:
- research (the place of regions in the European Research Area, Regions of knowledge)
- industry (the essential role of SMEs)
- regional policy (the urban dimension in structural funds)
The Belgian Presidency will also provide the opportunity to work more closely with European networks in which the region is a member, including Eurocities, the Association of the European Regions, the Committee of the Regions and even the Network of Capital Cities and Regions and NEREUS. These collaborations also set to consolidate links with the Bruxelles-Capitale region's bilateral partners.
Brussels, capital of the European Union
During the Belgian Presidency, Brussels will be at the centre of Europe even more than usual. This is a unique opportunity to highlight Brussels' advantages, to accentuate the European character of the city and to raise awareness among Brussels' inhabitants of this position which stands to bring so much development to the region.