Belgian Presidency Working Visit to the President of the European Commission
The Prime Minister Yves Leterme, the Vice-Prime Ministers Steven Vanackere, Laurette Onkelinx, and Joëlle Milquet and the State Secretary for European Affairs Olivier Chastel took part in a working meeting with the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, as part of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The meeting covered the European agenda for the upcoming weeks and, in particular, the EU2020 socio-economic strategy and the European Council of next 16th September.
Prime Minister Yves Leterme reiterated to President Barroso his desire for the quickest possible implementation of the EU2020 Strategy and pointed out the importance of upcoming flagship initiatives which will provide substance to the European project and make Europe more palpable to European citizens.
Among other topics, the European Council of 16th September will be dedicated to the external dimension of the EU. The Belgian Presidency will do everything in its power to ensure successful completion of the files related to the effective implementation of the European External Action Service by 1st January 2011. The Presidency also emphasised its wish for progress in strengthening the ability of the EU and Member States to intervene in natural catastrophes. In terms of economic governance, Belgium supports the idea of enlarging surveillance beyond strictly budgetary items and will add to the debate on the matter.
The Presidency also pointed out the excellent cooperation it has had with the Commission on the community patent file. It expects to see a breakthrough in the coming weeks.
