Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024’s Post

EU ministers have finally agreed that #Ukraine and #Moldova #accession talks will begin on Tuesday 25 June, and #Montenegro’s #accession conference will also take place on 26 June. The EUCO summit from 27-28 June will then focus on EU #treaty #amendments and the #integration of these new countries, in addition to discussions on who should take the next term’s top jobs. https://lnkd.in/dS9BKUCZ

South Africa has adopted the following theme for its G20 Presidency: Solidarity, Equality and Sustainable Development This theme speaks to the developmental priorities of the global south, particularly, the African Continent which is now fully represented with the admission of the African Union in the G20

Today, on July 1, Belgium handed over the European Council Presidency to Hungary. Despite concerns about Hungary's compliance with EU laws, Hungary aims to enhance EU competitiveness, strengthen defense cooperation, manage migration, and support EU enlargement. How will Hungary balance its conservative agenda with EU expectations? #EUPresidency #Hungary #EuropeanUnion Read our article by Jeroen Dobber and Aneta Svrcinova https://lnkd.in/eRFM4q_6

Azerbaijan has gained unchallenged legitimacy despite its murderous acts as successive US Departments of State (DOS), of different US admins, have looked the other way as the ‘Final Solution’ is gradually applied on the Armenians in the region. https://lnkd.in/gt_dZVjZ The contents of Aliyev’s national speeches and its implementation thus far are bone chilling. Despite Aliyev’s authoritarian and anti-Armenian racist regime, Azerbaijan is regarded of value as an imp strategic partner of Israel (1) by meeting 40% of Israel’s energy needs via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and (2) by leveraging Azerbaijan’s strategic location and allowing for espionage, if not full-fledged operations, against the Islamic republic of Iran. It would be helpful if the US DOS asserts to President Aliyev that the ‘pro-western’ choices Azerbaijan makes are for its own good and do not provide a permission to racially subjugate & demonize Armenians or illegally torture, mutilate and hold Armenians captive. Or, for that matter, invade Armenia proper and speak of Armenia as Western Azerbaijan in his national speeches. It would be helpful if US DOS, this one time, states to President Aliyev that the US expects Armenia has the right to defend herself.

JUST IN: Austria 🇦🇹 has agreed to lift its long-held veto on the Schengen accession of Romania 🇷🇴 and Bulgaria 🇧🇬 , as announced by the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council after a meeting of interior ministers in Budapest. It’s important to remember that Romania and Bulgaria have been fully prepared for this decision for years. Austria and the Netherlands had previously vetoed their accession without any whatsoever arguments or justification—simply due to political reasons. We need a EU treaty reform; we cannot allow one or two countries to block the development of others just because they can. It’s illogical and quite offensive, to be honest. This debate had become a national issue and fueled far-right politicians. Anyway, it’s a relief that progress is finally being made. But such obstacles should not happen again, especially in these very challenging times.

Before Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico’s rise to power last year, Slovakia was one of Taiwan’s strongest Central European partners. His predecessors Eduard Heger and Ludovit Odor were solid partners of Ukraine and Taiwan, as exemplified by their pro-western posture in the international arena. At the same time, then-Slovakian president Zuzana Caputova advocated for safeguarding democracy from authoritarian countries’ hybrid and conventional threats. This paradigm was challenged ahead of the parliamentary elections last year, when the Smer party-led opposition promoted a totally different agenda when it comes to diplomatic and international affairs. In particular, it stressed the need to introduce a shift with regards to the Russia-Ukraine war by giving a priority to an immediate diplomatic solution rather than to keep providing weapons to Kyiv. https://lnkd.in/g7NpjRZg

💬 "This is a crucial period for decisions on the future of the European Union, its role in the world and its image in the eyes of EU citizens," the Vice-Minister Simonas Satunas said during the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg. This week, #EU 🇪🇺 leaders are due to approve a new EU Strategic Agenda, which will set out the key objectives for the next five years. 💬 "Ukraine's victory is a key element of the EU's success, as it would bring peace back to Europe and lead to greater prosperity for EU citizens, which is why it is imperative that the EU's support to Ukraine is even stronger," said Šatūnas. 📌 Lithuania is also committed to a rapid and successful EU enlargement process. Following the GAC meeting, the Intergovernmental Conferences with #Ukraine 🇺🇦 and #Moldova 🇲🇩 are leading to real negotiations on EU membership for these countries. The Vice-Minister stressed that the start of the negotiations is a strong sign of encouragement to the Ukrainian people, as well as a commitment by the EU to welcome the country into its ranks once the necessary reforms have been implemented. 💬 "Today, military support is extremely important for Ukraine, but it is also very important to be close to the citizens of Ukraine with real actions and to respond to their desire to become a European country, which is exactly what they are fighting for," emphasised Vice-Minister Šatūnas. 📌 Lithuania is following the situation in #Georgia 🇬🇪 with concern and urges the government to immediately repeal the so-called "foreign agents" law, which prevents the country from seeking EU membership. Read the full press release - link below in the comments. #LTinEU #LithuaniaInEU #LTPermRepEU

Welcoming the recent agreement for complete disengagement and resolution of issues that arose in 2020 in the India-China border areas, Prime Minister Modi underscored the importance of properly handling differences and disputes and not allowing them to disturb peace and tranquility. The two leaders agreed that the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question will meet at an early date to oversee the management of peace & tranquility in border areas and to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question. The relevant dialogue mechanisms at the level of Foreign Ministers and other officials will also be utilized to stabilize and rebuild bilateral relations.

With its newfound proximity to conflict in Ukraine, Schengen accession, and a rising far-right, Romania's electoral landscape is shifting. Will the far-right reshape its future? 🇷🇴 Read the full analysis by Taylor Cooperman here: https://lnkd.in/e6aiTdzu

Ārlietu ministrija/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia warned media March 7 not to be tempted to cover so-called elections being staged by Russia on occupied #Ukrainian territory. "Russian presidential 'elections' due to be held between 15 and 17 March 2024 will also be organised illegitimately in the Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied and annexed by Russia. Russia will specifically attempt to attract foreign observers and media by seeking, through their participation, to legitimize both this 'election' and the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories," the Ministry said in a release. "Latvia neither recognizes, nor will it recognize the illegal occupation and annexation of Ukrainian territories by the aggressor. Latvia will also not recognise the organisation and results of Russia's “elections” in the temporarily occupied and annexed territories of Ukraine. Russia has no legitimate basis for such action in the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine," is added. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly urges Latvian nationals to avoid all travel to Russia as well as the territories of Ukraine currently under illegal occupation. https://lnkd.in/deaNcGqg