This trio presidency is the first presidency that falls entirely under the new Lisbon Treaty. The Treaty gives Europe the necessary clout to answer today's challenges. Flanders wants to make a constructive contribution to this.
Flanders has made substantive contributions to the joint presidency programme of Spain, Belgium and Hungary and to the Belgian presidency programme.
Five general priorities are of crucial importance to the Flemish authorities:
- the Europe 2020 strategy;
- social inclusion within the frame of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion;
- climate, energy and environment in the frame of the international environment policy;
- the essential role of the regions within the EU and a greater involvement of its (young) citizens;
- sustainable development.
Specific priorities have been defined for each of the policy areas for which Flanders holds the presidency.
Environment
2010 is an important year for biodiversity. This applies to the evaluation of the current biodiversity policy as well as to the establishment of new targets after 2010. Flanders stimulates the EU to concentrate itself on the sustainable management of natural resources and materials. Lifecycle thinking (cradle to cradle) and the uncoupling of material use and economic growth are at the centre of this approach.
Fisheries
During the Belgian EU Presidency, Flanders will play an important role in the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. At the 2010 International Fisheries Symposium the emphasis is on the relation between scientific research and fisheries. The conclusions of this symposium will be used in the frame of the debate of the European Fisheries Ministers on this reform.
Research
In the field of research and green technology several Flemish initiatives link up with the coordinating priorities regarding sustainable development. Specific attention will be paid among other things to the scientific underpinning of the European Strategic Plan for Marine and Maritime Research, and to innovation in the field of bio-economy and strategic research into energy technologies.
Education and Training
The trio presidency is making an effort to get the European working programme on Education and Training on track for the next decade. The aim is to ensure that the programme ties in with the new EU 2020 strategy.
The following points will be given special attention:
- further co-operation for higher and vocational education,
- mobility of students and teachers in the frame of ‘Lifelong Learning’.
Youth
In the frame of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (2010) and the European Year of Volunteering (2011) Flanders has prioritized all aspects of youth work. The Flemish authorities are paying particular attention to poor and unskilled youths.
Sport
During the Belgian EU Presidency Flanders will pay attention to:
- sport training;
- the role of sport in combating social exclusion;
- combating doping.