Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

I have received the keys of the 170 cars that will make up the Presidency fleet, i.e. the official cars that will be used to transport the delegations of the Member States and other countries over the course of numerous high-level events, thirty such summits having already been planned.

Thanks to the sponsorship provided by D’Ieteren, it could also be said that it is the public profile of Belgium and its dynamic industrial image that will be on parade since next September, 30 Audi A1 cars, manufactured in our country and identified by the colours of the European Union, will be made available to the Belgian Presidency.

Amongst other factors, the success of a Presidency is dependent on flawless organisation, the official fleet being a concrete example of this. The level of cooperation between the logistics committee of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Defence Ministry and the Ministry for Transport and Mobility (SPF Mobilité) merits special mention in this regard.

Attended by the Defence Minister, Pieter De Crem, the ceremony took place at the Headquarters of the Defence Ministry. I made a point of thanking Minister De Crem for having provided 150 military personnel to act as drivers for the Presidency.

I have no doubt that the drivers of the official fleet will fulfil their role with the highest degree of professionalism.

Olivier Chastel - State Secretary for European Affairs