A common logo
The logo of the Belgian presidency is the result of an international competition. Students in art and design from Spain, Belgium and Hungary were able to take part in this contest. These countries assume the successive presidency of the European Union from 1 January 2010 until 30 June 2011. The logo, which was selected by a panel of experts, is the work of a young Belgian student.
The dynamism of these three countries is symbolised by the fine cursive letters "eu" of the logo. They appear to be handwritten in order to invite all citizens to take ownership of the European project. Each version of the logo assumes the colours of the country's flag, but the addition of the word “trio” as an exponent denotes the solidarity between the three countries. (photo: presentation of the trio presidency logo with the competition laureate, Antoine Durieux and state-secretary, Olivier Chastel)
Art and the Belgian Presidency
A small selection of Belgian works 
of art is being shown at various locations to mark the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
These locations include the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the EU, the offices of the responsible Ministers, the VIP areas in the Justus Lipsius building and the VIP areas in Brussels Airport.
Some of the works are on loan from government bodies, museums, galleries and artists whilst others come from the art collection of the Federal Government Service. The art and antiques owned by the Federal Government Service are managed by the Buildings Service and are intended for Belgian diplomatic missions abroad and for adorning public buildings in Brussels.
Reflecting the Presidency, the themes include technology, design and fashion, as well as poverty and austerity. The themes of the Presidency's agenda can also be found in the exhibited works, in particular the European Constitution, migration, multiculturalism, identity, and national borders. The specific areas of action of the Belgian Diplomatic Service are reflected in a focus on the world, development cooperation, dialogue and diplomacy. The works encourage dialogue and provide food for thought and creativity.
The works will remain at their respective locations once the Presidency has ended, except for those in the Justus Lipsius building. Each location also displays a short commentary about the works, which can also be consulted here.
Image: © Luc Tuymans, The conversation, 1995, Belgian State
Justus Lipsius - exhibition Fashion & Design - Second Hand Second Life
Belgium – in cooperation with the French, Flemish and German speaking Communities - is proud to present the exhibition “Fashion & Design - Second Hand Second Life” as part of the Belgian EU Council Presidency. The exhibition will be on display from the 1st of July to the 31st of December 2010 in the EU Council’s Justus Lipsius Building in Brussels.
The exhibition “Fashion & Design - Second Hand Second Life” showcases Belgian creativity, whilst staying in line with the European theme for 2010, that of European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The exhibition is composed of 11 creations by Belgian fashion designers and 6 furniture designs by other Belgian artists, previously exhibited during the annual fashion show of the Petits-Riens asbl/Spullenhulp vzw, where second-hand clothing and furniture are selected by Belgian designers to produce a completely unique “recycled” creation.
For six months, the works of Ann Eckers, Christian Wijnants, Christophe Coppens, Delvaux, Natan, Christophe Van Liedekerke, Chrystl Fisher, Monsieur Bul, MoutonCollet, Kris Van Assche, Sigi, Lennart Van Uffelen, Kasper Hamacher, Thierry Bataille, Pascal Koch, Pol Quadens and Petits Riens will be on display.
This project could not have come to be without the cooperation of the Petits Riens asbl/Spullenhulp vzw, a non-profit organisation that collects, sorts and sells second-hand items from all over Belgium in order to finance a multitude of social projects, all specifically aimed at helping the homeless and families in need.