General
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,
Prime Minister passes Presidency flag to Hungary in Budapest
Speech by His Excellency Yves Leterme Prime Minister of Belgium at the start of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union - Budapest, January 6, 2010
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.
We wish you a happy new year 2011!
Follow as from 1 January 2011 the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU on: www.eutrio.hu
Europe: from the young girl to the continent
If you hear the name "Europe", what springs to mind? The geographic area?The continent to which the name refers? Most certainly. This reflex response shouldn't come as a surprise, really. Though who would stop to think that behind this name originally there was a girl? A young woman of such astounding beauty that one day she was abducted by the gods themselves? And that it was no coincidence that this same young woman later gave her name to this illustrious continent.
Meeting of the Consultative Forum of the Prosecutors General and Directors of Public Prosecutions of the Member States
At the initiative of the Board of Prosecutors General of Belgium, and in the framework of the Belgian Presidency of the European Union, the Prosecutors General and Directors of Public Prosecutions of the Member States of the EU held a meeting in The Hague on 16 December 2010 , with the co-operation and support of Eurojust.
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