Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Because reading is a pleasure, a vector for exchange and sharing, the European Book Prize is designed to promote European values and to help bring the Union to life among its citizens. 

Speech by H.E. Mr. Steven Vanackere Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium at the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

In 2010, no fewer than 17 African countries will be celebrating 50 years of independence. In honour of the occasion, BOZAR and the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren are organising the festival Visionary Africa featuring concerts, exhibitions, performances and a literature festival. GEO-graphics is the central exhibition of this summer festival.

Olivier Chastel expressed the EU’s concern about the human rights situation and stated that the EU deplores the deterioration of conditions for those defending human rights. “The issue of sexual violence is particularly alarming in this area”, added the Secretary of State for European Affairs.

Natura 2000 is a European network of nature conservation areas situated on the territory of the Member States of the European Union. This network is the cornerstone of the European policy for the preservation and restoration of biodiversity. Natura 2000 is not intended just for the conservation of habitats, but also contributes to the protection of species.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Employment, Joëlle Milquet, recalled that the future governance of the Europe 2020 Strategy is one of the major work areas of the Belgian Presidency, and that the role of the European and national social partners has not yet received the attention that it deserves in the discussions under way.