Europe
Belgian Presidency judged a European success story
MEPs agreed that Belgium's six months at the helm of the Council of the EU, the first presidency under the new Lisbon Treaty framework, were very successful.
Speech of Belgium's PM Yves Leterme, European Parliament, Strasbourg, 18 January 2011
Monsieur le Président,
Steven Vanackere presents an assessment of the Belgian Presidency
As of January 1, it will be Hungary’s turn to carry the prestigious flame of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The end of Belgium’s 12th Presidency is therefore approaching rapidly. What are the highlights of the six months now ending? Did Belgium attain the objectives it initially set for itself? The time has come to assess the Presidency.
Belgium closes out the Presidency with a deluge of fireworks and music!
This year again, the traditional New Year’s fireworks in Brussels was fired up at the Monts des Arts. Far more than simple pyrotechnical prowess, this year’s event was decked out in the colours of Europe, those of the Spanish, Belgian and Hungarian flags in particular.
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.
European Council
Opening remarks by President Herman VAN ROMPUY at the meeting of Heads of State or Government
Press remarks by President VAN ROMPUY following the first session of the European Council
From bomb engineer to pacifist: Andrei Sakharov
For the 22nd time the European Parliament is awarding the prestigious Sakharov prize. The recognition through the Prize for Freedom of thought is an honour reserved for only the greatest defenders of human rights. The Prize was named after a co-developer of the most destructive bomb ever built, Andrei Sakharov (1921-1989), the Soviet nuclear physicist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. A bizarre combination
The European Quarter
That Brussels has been labelled as the capital of Europe has a lot to do with the Leopold District or the European Quarter: the main European institutions have their headquarters here.
Foreign Affairs - Press Release (Provisional version) Last European Parliament plenary session under the Belgian Presidency
This December 14th and 15th Olivier Chastel, Secretary of State for European Affairs, will travel to Strasbourg to represent the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU at the plenary session of the European Parliament.
An exhibition for a meeting that was meant to be: Art and the Belgian Presidency
This Wednesday, December 8th, the Presidency organised an art exhibition, a "finishing" for the upcoming and last European summit under Belgian colours. On this occasion, the Council raised the curtain on its backstage embellished with the works of painters, photographers, and designers...