belgian presidency
Wathelet presents priorities of Belgium concerning asylum and immigration to Commission LIBE
Melchior Wathelet presents the priorities of Belgium concerning asylum and immigration to the Commission LIBE of the European Parliament.
Schauvliege calls for sustainable materials management
Flemish Minister for the Environment, Joke Schauvliege, introduced the theme of “sustainable materials management” at European level on behalf of the Belgian Presidency at an informal two-day Council meeting. During the informal Council meeting, the Environment Ministers from the 27 EU Member States focussed on the steps to be taken by the European Union to achieve a sustainable materials policy. This sustainable materials policy is to mark the start of “resource-efficient” and “materials-efficient” Europe, one of the key goals in the EU 2020 strategy.
Youth Work Convention places the emphasis on cooperation and knowledge sharing
The official declaration of the first youth work convention underlines the great importance of cooperation and knowledge sharing for the youth work sector. More than 400 youth workers and youth policy makers reflected on and debated the future of youth work at the convention. On 10 July 2010, the convention set out its conclusions in an official declaration.
Yves Leterme: "Re-connecting with the European Union's ambition"
This morning, Prime Minister Yves Leterme, accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Steven Vanackere, and the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Olivier Chastel, presented the programme of the Belgian presidency in a plenary session of the European Parliament, in the presence of the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso.
Cerexhe receives petition for the simplification of administrative procedures for researchers
On Monday, 5 July 2010 Mr Benoît Cerexhe, the Brussels Minister for the Economy and Employment, in his capacity as President of the Competitiveness Council of the EU – Research Section, received the representatives of the ‘Trust Researchers’ petition, led by Dr Sabine Herlitschka (Austria). The ‘Trust Researchers’ representatives delivered to the President of the Competitiveness Council – Research Section a petition of over 13 500 signatures calling for the European authorities to implement as quickly as possible the administrative simplification programme for researchers throughout Europe.
Chastel presents priorities for the Belgian Presidency programme to the COSAC
On 5 July, State Secretary Olivier Chastel presented the programme for the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union to the Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees. The COSAC is a cooperation that brings committees of the national parliaments dealing with European affairs together with the European Parliament representatives. These meetings are mostly held in the capital city of the country that is fulfilling the role of the EU presidency.
Leterme and Barroso want to make progress
Under a bright blue sky and a burning sun, the Belgian government members involved in the Presidency and the European commissioners met for the traditional family photograph. The talks had clearly taken place in a good atmosphere.
Spain passes the torch of the Presidency to Belgium
The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU ended on 30 June this year. Now it is Belgium’s turn to perform this duty for the next six months.
Conference on "Lessons learned from the influenza pandemic A(H1N1)2009"
The conference on “Lessons learned from the influenza pandemic A(H1N1)2009” held on 1 and 2 July 2010 in Brussels, has generated a discussion with senior officials of European Union Member States and other invited countries, relevant international organizations such as the World Health Organization, European Agencies such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Medicine Agency. The conference was jointly organized by the Belgian Presidency and the European Commission.