Key Priorities of the EU’s Belgian presidency

Belgium has taken over the rotating EU presidency and has high on the agenda the continuation of the total integration of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen

Sorin Iordan, 17.01.2024, 13:50

Although partial, the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to Europes border-free area, Schengen, is a good thing, Alexander De Croo, the Prime Minister of Belgium, whose country is holding the EUs half-yearly presidency, has said. De Croo says that the two countries accessions with their air and maritime borders on March 31st, are major steps and he expects the next stages to follow soon (Quote): „I know both countries have made great efforts, steps forward to answer all the questions asked by so many countries concerning Schengen and wed like to really applaud all the efforts made. I think those partial steps made are a good sign and a first step, but I expect, if things go as planned, the next steps to follow.

The consequences of an incomplete Schengen accession are significant from the economic point of view. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said in the autumn of 2023 that the prejudice would be at least 2 % of the GDP and the former minister of the Economy, Florin Spataru says that Romanias annual loss stays around 10 billion euros. The losses incurred by Romanias transport companies are huge, Romanian MEP Dan Nica has also said. He added the Romanian transporters are being humiliated because they have to spend hours and even days at border checkpoints and he believes these drivers must get compensations for the losses.

Dan Nica:” We must find funds for this and made them available immediately so that transport companies and transporters get compensations for their huge losses. They have done nothing wrong and deserve compensations for the huge financial losses incurred.”

Although Romania and Bulgarias complete Schengen accession is important for the Belgian presidency of the EU, others are its key priorities. In the context of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the conflict between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas and the growing tension in the Red Sea region, the EU focuses its attention onto the presidential election in the USA, a country that has played a key role in Europes security since the end of WWII.

A day after the former US president, Donald Trump, consolidated its status as the Republicans favourite candidate for the November election, the Belgian Prime Minister says that Europe should not fear Trumps return to the White House, in spite of his America first promoted principle.

Alexander De Croo believes the EU must embrace the prospect in order to put Europe on a more solid footing – stronger, more sovereign, more self-reliant.

De Croo has pledged the EUs Belgian presidency will contribute to the protection of its citizens, strengthening the economy and preparing the common European future.

(bill)