The Belgian presidency programme sets out the priorities and main directions of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU. The Belgian term takes place from the 1st of January to the 30th of June 2024.

• General affairs

  The Belgian presidency is committed to protecting democracy, strengthening the rule of law and promoting free and fair European elections in order to buttress the foundations of our Union. These values foster citizens’ trust in the EU and form the cornerstone of the deep-rooted legal and economic cooperation within the European Union.

  The presidency will take forward the ongoing work on enlargement. In May, the EU will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its largest enlargement, a milestone for continent-wide unity and prosperity.

  The Belgian presidency will also stimulate reflections on the next Strategic Agenda as well as on the Future of Europe.

  The General Affairs Council will continue to play its role of overall coordination of policies, institutional and administrative questions. It will tackle a range of horizontal issues, such as the Multiannual Financial Framework, crisis management, hybrid threats, demography as well as transparency and ethics. Furthermore, it will fully play its role in preparing the European Council.

  The Belgian presidency will also underscore the significance of cohesion policy as an essential long-term investment instrument, as a catalyst for transformation and convergence, and as cement for the EU.

• Foreign affairs

  In an ever more interconnected world, humanity faces global challenges that require global solutions. Yet the world is also more insecure than it has been in decades. The multilateral system and the rules-based international order face increasing strain from geopolitical confrontation and transnational security threats, including the return of open war on the European continent.

  To adapt to this reality, the Belgian presidency will vigorously pursue the efforts made by the EU to strengthen its resilience and autonomy and defend its interests. In this more assertive approach, the presidency will also emphasise that openness, dialogue and cooperation are at the heart of the EU’s conception of its interests. The Belgian Presidency will work to ensure that the EU remains a major voice for multilateral cooperation, while promoting peace and security, protecting our global commons and defending human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

  A primary focus of the presidency will be providing unwavering political, economic, military, humanitarian, and legal support to Ukraine.

  To achieve its foreign policy goals, the EU must fully mobilise its economic, security and defence capabilities, as well as its development and humanitarian assistance capacity. This includes an ambitious and balanced trade policy and the reinforcement of the rules-based multilateral trading system.

  In the area of development, the presidency will further support the sustainable development of communities and their infrastructure and work towards health as a basic right. To do so, it will work to strengthen health systems, ensure equitable and qualitative health services and products for all, and advance the EU Global Health Strategy.

  In the field of security and defence, the presidency will continue operationalising the Strategic Compass and bolstering the EU’s resilience to new and hybrid challenges. It will focus its efforts on reinforcing the technological and industrial base to ensure security of supply in terms of military capabilities.

  The Belgian presidency will fully play its role in supporting the President of the European Council, the High Representative and the EEAS, in close coordination with the Commission, and promote a ‘Team Europe’ approach.

  Finally, the presidency will facilitate a broader discussion on the future of EU foreign, development, trade, security and defence policy to help shape the post-2024 Strategic Agenda.

• Economic & financial affairs

  Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and uncertainties in the international economy are severely impacting the EU’s socio-economic outlook. The Belgian presidency will foster an effective European response to the different challenges ahead of us, such as fostering the green and digital transition, and promoting the EU’s open strategic autonomy and global competitiveness.

  This commitment includes safeguarding the economic principles that form the backbone of the European project. To this end, the presidency will focus on finalising the Union’s economic governance review, on continued financial support to Ukraine, and on legislation governing the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union. Moreover, the presidency will work on narrowing the VAT gap, on EU own resources, on completing the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and on revising legislation related to the Customs Code as well as taxation rules for cross-border teleworking.

  As the Belgian presidency will straddle the close of one European parliamentary term and the start of another, it will work to finalise major outstanding files while also stimulating discussion on the economic state of the Union and its future.

• Justice and home affairs

  During the Belgian presidency, the reform of the migration and asylum system as well as a resilient Schengen zone will be key priorities.

  The presidency will focus on intensifying the EU’s efforts to combat organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism, as they pose a threat to our societies and democracies.

  The response to today’s challenges should be based on the rule of law, the improvement and consolidation of good governance in the EU, and on upholding our shared values and fundamental rights and freedoms.

• Health

  Under the Belgian presidency, health will revolve around three overarching themes: preparedness, care, and protection. The presidency will emphasise the importance of strengthening the EU's resilience to future health threats by reinforcing crisis management, supporting healthcare systems, and improving the security of medicines supply.  This way, the Belgian presidency will put forward priorities for the next legislative term of the European Union.

• Employment and Social Policy

  In times marked by significant socio-economic disruption within the European Union, the need for a Europe that protects has never been clearer. In the field of employment and social policy, the Belgian presidency will work towards an ambitious and future-proof social agenda. To deliver a stronger social safety net for European citizens and a labour market equipped for the future, the presidency will seek to complete the important remaining files before the close of the current legislature. Special emphasis will be placed on socio-economic governance. Furthermore, the presidency will devote its efforts to consolidating the European Pillar of Social Rights, setting forth a robust social agenda for 2024-2029. As ever, the aim will be to foster a European society that is more inclusive, gender-equal, and fair for all.

• Internal market and industry

  In light of evolving geopolitical and market realities, the EU must prioritise a rapid and fair twin transition that reshapes its economic fabric, supports open strategic autonomy and fosters resilience to crises. The Belgian presidency will focus on a strong, resilient, and inclusive green and digital transition, including the finalisation of related legislative packages. As European competitiveness faces increasing pressure, the EU's response must create a level playing field for businesses, especially SMEs, enabling them to compete fairly both within Europe and on the global stage. This approach should provide fresh opportunities for businesses and workers to take an active part in the green transition and digital transformation. The Belgian presidency will also foster comprehensive, future-ready visions for the EU's internal market and industry policies.

• Research, innovation and space  

  Research and innovation play a pivotal role in achieving the overarching objectives of the EU and are essential for addressing urgent societal, global and economic challenges such as climate crisis, health, and the digital transformation. The Belgian presidency will therefore prioritise the contribution of research and innovation as our foremost catalyst for achieving greater open strategic autonomy for Europe, while focusing on better valorisation of research results and reinforcing  the role of research and innovation in society to overcome key industrial and societal challenges. The Belgian presidency acknowledges the importance of space activities as a strategic asset, particularly in domains such as security, defense, climate change mitigation, and the empowerment of New Space actors. It will aim to advance cybersecurity and secure connectivity and to promote the safe, sustainable, and secure use of space. In dealing with these challenges, including also responsible international cooperation,  the commitment to nurturing the EU’s open strategic autonomy will run as a common thread.

• Transport

  Some of Europe’s most daunting challenges intersect in the area of transport policy, including the green and digital transition, energy security, the pathway to a zero-carbon economy and the EU’s resolve to transition away from fossil fuels.

  The Belgian presidency will focus on decarbonising the EU transport sector and promoting sustainable and active modes of transport, while ensuring decent social working conditions and preserving a level playing field with third countries.

  In addition, the presidency will pursue efforts to strengthen intra-European connectivity and bring about a robust, resilient, and future-proof European transport network.

  To deal with the mobility impacts of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the presidency will strive for better connectivity of Ukraine and Moldova with the EU. Moreover, the Belgian presidency will work to strengthen the EU’s leadership in developing safe, clean, efficient and smart transport policies, and take forward this endeavour in the next Strategic Agenda.

• Digital, cyber and telecommunications

  The EU must lead the way in creating a sustainable, innovative, and resilient digital ecosystem that empowers citizens and benefits businesses. The Belgian presidency will prioritise a human-centred and sustainable approach to the digital transition, strengthening Europe's resilience to cybersecurity threats and addressing diverse challenges in telecommunications. The aim is to foster a coherent internal and external digital policy that encourages open strategic autonomy.

• Energy

  The effects of the Russian aggression against Ukraine on the availability of gas supplies to the EU and its impact on energy prices, coupled with the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events across Europe, have highlighted the urgent need to ensure our security of supply, the affordability and competitiveness of our economy and an accelerated energy transition to meet our sustainability and climate goals. The EU must fully leverage its energy efficiency potential across the entire economy and rapidly advance the development of renewable and low-carbon energy sources and carriers. Increased investments into  an integrated and future-proof energy network is essential to this end.

• Agriculture and fisheries

  The Belgian presidency will promote a holistic approach to agriculture and fisheries. Ensuring food security and autonomy will be core objectives of the presidency, as well as further enhancing the sustainability of food production and consumption. The Belgian presidency will also pay particular attention to animal health and animal welfare, and to the need for resilient forests.

• Environment

  The EU’s green transition agenda is driven by the urgent need to address the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, coupled with the necessity to achieve a fair, resilient and circular society. With these crises having underscored the importance of decisive and holistic action, the European Green Deal has placed the green transition at the heart of all EU policy proposals. In this context, the presidency will carry on the work on the EU's Green Deal policy initiatives, ensuring that all policies are crafted and executed in line with environmental and climate objectives, all while embracing the One World One Health approach and taking forward this endeavour in the next Strategic Agenda.

• Education, youth, culture and sport

  The Belgian presidency plans to strengthen the European education area, enhance the quality of education, and promote lifelong learning. It aims to ease mobility for learners and educators across Europe and initiate discussions on the forthcoming higher education package. Digital education and teacher shortages will be addressed, while youth participation, empowerment and inclusion will be emphasised. It will review and refine youth strategies, including a Council resolution on youth work policy.

  In the cultural realm, the presidency will stimulate the digital transformation of cultural sectors and reinforce media freedom and pluralism. The role of influencers will be highlighted. In sport, the Belgian presidency will adopt the EU work plan 2024-2027 and discuss the role of non-organised sport and free physical activity within a European sport model.