Debate: Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency
Date: TUESDAY, 16 JANUARY 2024
Speaker: Maroš Šefčovič
Language: EN

As it was stated very well by honourable Members Lutgen, García Pérez, Vautmans and Lamberts, it’s clear that we are facing generational challenges. We have to promote democracy within and outside Europe. We need to strengthen Europe to thrive in this new, tough, geopolitically tense world which brought military conflicts so close to the European Union’s borders that it’s affecting our people and our economy.  Therefore, Mr Prime Minister, we welcome your focus on competitiveness and also on the rollout of a socially fair Green Deal. In this regard, on top of the work on the remaining legislative files, we will continue our clean transition dialogues with the industrial sectors crucial for European future competitiveness and those sectors which are undergoing the most profound green and climate transition, including the discussions and dialogues with farmers as was proposed by Madam Niebler and Mr Mureşan.  And I would like to reassure everyone that we approach these dialogues with a logic of inclusiveness, with the logic of the whole value chain collaboration and common endeavour to look at every aspect of our economy to perform better. We also increased our efforts to offset unnecessary administrative burden stemming from our legislation as much as possible. And also, we are working very hard to reduce the reporting obligations by 25 %.  I am convinced that the Belgian focus on this very important competitiveness aspect of the EU economy, together with the important incoming reports of Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi, will bring us concrete suggestions to strengthen the strategic autonomy of Europe.  To honourable Member Dan Nica, I would like to reassure you that the Commission supports Romania and Bulgaria to strengthen external borders with the support of Frontex, and also by having the pilot projects on more structural basis. We will also continue to support the political discussions to ensure that the decision on lifting the internal border checks at land borders can still be taken by the Council this year.  To conclude, Madam President, I would like to make the reference to the points raised by Madam García Pérez, Madam Vautmans, but also several other colleagues from this House who have been underscoring the importance of Ukraine – and we will have a chance to discuss this aspect further with Madam Minister in our subsequent debate – because the issue of support of Ukraine, but also a further progress in our enlargement process, are historical tasks of this Parliament, this Commission and the Council. And to achieve the progress we need in this historic task, we urgently need the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework. I know how high this is on the priority list of the Belgian Presidency, and we will be working hand-in-hand with you, Mr Prime Minister, to have a positive outcome, hopefully already at the next extraordinary European Council at the beginning of February.  So, dear Prime Minister, Madam Minister, honourable Members, I would like to wish all the best to the Belgian Presidency. Good luck with all the very difficult, challenging files and we are looking forward to the closest possible cooperation. I am sure that in six months will be celebrating a positive, successful outcome of your presidency.