This took place on Friday at the Palais Egmont in Brussels, as Belgium took over the Council Presidency from Spain on January 1st. “Before we get bigger, we have to get better,” emphasized Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo in the final press conference.
Rotating Council President De Croo emphasized that Belgium would work on a negotiating framework for future enlargements. One of the Belgians’ priorities is to make the EU fit for the future through reforms and to prepare it for possible enlargements. Von der Leyen announced a roadmap from the EU Commission for the future of the EU. Von der Leyen and De Croo traveled from Paris to Brussels immediately following the funeral service for former Commission President Jacques Delors. After their opening speeches, the Commissioners discussed the priorities for the next six months with the representatives of the Council Presidency. The agenda included geopolitical topics such as the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine, but also internal EU dossiers.
“The spirit of Delors is what we need. We have to become stronger together,” emphasized De Croo. The Union must make decisions more quickly and use its resources more efficiently. Von der Leyen added that very important dossiers will have to be completed in the coming months. She cited support for Ukraine as an example. The Commission will offer solutions to the Council by the special summit on February 1st to ensure that the planned increase in the EU’s multi-annual budget is decided – “and as quickly as possible”.
Since Hungary prevented an agreement at the last summit in December, we also have to prepare for other options, said De Croo. His goal, however, is an agreement between all 27 EU countries, which he also believes is possible. The head of the Commission emphasized that increasing the EU budget not only serves Ukraine, but is also important in order to realize other EU priorities. She cited the Asylum and Migration Pact and increasing competitiveness as examples.
On Friday evening the program ends on a festive note with a concert. In addition to musicians from all parts of the country, Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are also expected.
