The role of Kris Peeters during the EU presidency
Kris Peeters is the Flemish Minister-President and amongst other things responsible for Fisheries. He will negotiate about fishing quotas and try to bring scientists and fishermen closer together. An active traveller, he also has some holiday tips for people visiting Belgium.
What will your role be during the European Presidency?
As Flemish minister responsible for Fisheries, I will chair the Fisheries Council during the Belgian EU-Presidency. This Council meets on 26 October, 29 and 30 November and 13 and 14 December. During these Councils I will collaborate with my colleagues to reach political agreements about the so-called Total Allowable Catch- (TAC) and quota negotiations. Naturally this is also very important for the Flemish fisheries sector!
And together with my Walloon colleague I will defend Belgian opinions in the Agriculture Council. More specifically I will be Belgium's spokesman at the formal Agriculture Council of 12 July and 27 September and during the informal Agriculture Council on 21 September.
What influence does the European Union have on your policy field(s)?
The fisheries policy is largely decided by Europe.
Of course it is also important that the member states are able to have their own policy that meets the situation in their country. We always take this into account when we negotiate on EU fisheries legislation. It's important that the EU draws up a framework and more particularly sets objectives, but also leaves enough leeway for a specific regional approach.
What breakthrough in your policy field(s) would you like to see on a European scale?
For the fishing industry the decisions relating to the total allowable catch are very important of course. Sustainable fishing needs to be the basic principle at all times.
Moreover, a broader platform needs to be created for these decisions. I have noticed that scientists, sector colleagues and other stakeholders often have different experiences and say different things. It's important to bring these groups together so that they understand each other better. That is why in the context of the Belgian presidency I am organising a symposium in Ostend entitled “Improved Fisheries and Science Partnerships as Policy driver.” I hope that tangible results can be achieved at this symposium.
How do you see the future of the European Union?
Europe is and remains one of the most interesting and at the same time indispensable political projects of our time. I therefore believe in the continuation of the European unification. It needs to result in an even stronger European Union with democratic structures and a greater involvement of the people.
I can see four major challenges facing Flanders and the European Union which future policy instruments will need to take into account: globalisation, demographic changes, climate change and energy.
These challenges also require a stronger role of the regions in the European Union. Regions are able to provide solutions for the specific problems of European citizens, provide sustainable growth and employment, and thus create a new platform for the European integration process. For me, the future European Union is therefore a European Union of the regions.
What is your favourite destination in Europe?
I really like active holidays. My preference goes out to destinations where I can walk, cycle, horse ride, climb, sail, ...
Some of my favourites include Greece and Italy.
But Belgium also has great areas where you can actively recharge your batteries, such as the coast or the Ardennes. Flanders also has several beautiful bicycle routes.
