Press releases
Conference on a sustainable bio-economy
The Belgian Presidency, together with the European Commission, is holding a conference today in Brussels on building a Knowledge based Bio-Economy. The European bio-economy is estimated to be worth over € 2 trillion, employing around 22 million people, and the prospects for further growth are promising. Senior scientists, stakeholders and European and national policy makers will discuss the drivers of the Bio-Economy and the research and innovation requirements to build the Bio-Economy.
Flanders and the Belgian EU-presidency: the results
At the end of the Belgian EU-presidency, it is clear that Flanders has been able to attain results and that the final assessment is largely positive. This is demonstrated by the successes achieved in the areas of policy presided over by Flanders on behalf of Belgium.
European trainers want sport qualifications in EQF
On 18 and 19 December over 80 experts from 24 EU-member states gathered for the European Day of the Trainer. The chief conclusion was that Sport should no longer be left out of the common European qualifications framework EQF.
Last formal Environment Council gives green light to Belgian priorities
The last formal European Environment Council in Brussels has completed a very busy agenda today under the presidency of Joke Schauvliege, the Flemish Minister for Environment, Nature and Culture. “All the priorities of the Belgian EU Presidency regarding Environment have been discussed. I am pleased about the results, especially since the Council has reached an agreement here in Brussels today about the use of biocidal products and the emission standards for light commercial vehicles”, says Minister Joke Schauvliege.
Press release
New action plan for local e-government
At the preconference on e-government held in Ghent, the ‘Citadel Statement’ was presented. This is an action plan to support e-government in towns and municipalities. E government is the use of ICT to improve services to citizens and enterprises.
Agriculture and Fisheries - Press Release (Provisional version) 
“New step in the right direction”
Joke Schauvliege – the Flemish Minister for Environment, Nature and Culture, who represented the European Union and the 27 Member States as chair of the European Environment Council at the COP-16 on Climate Change – is satisfied with the agreement reached at Cancún. “The result is a new step in the right direction. The active and unanimous position taken by the European Union – the 27 Member States and the Commission – has in all respects helped to bring the standpoints closer together.”
Fisheries ministers decide on fishing allocations
Today and tomorrow, the Fisheries Council will decide on the fishing allocations for 2011. These determine how many tons of fish the European Member States are allowed to catch in 2011. Kristof Geutjens – President of the Council Fisheries working party – explains how the decision is made.
New European cultural heritage platform in 2011
In 2011 there will be a new European cultural heritage platform intended to enable greater collaboration with all interested parties in Europe. After all, up until now, the heritage sector has lacked sufficient organisation at the European level. This was expressed in the ‘Bruges Declaration’ that Flemish Minister for Immovable Heritage Geert Bourgeois presented at the close of a conference on the added value of cultural heritage.
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