European Union

More than 50 years after its creation, the European Union has revolutionised living conditions in its 27 Member States for the 500 million people who live there. Not only has the EU brought peace to these countries and built on that peace; it has also brought prosperity to its citizens. It has set up institutions that, between them, exercise sovereignty, and can pride itself on some unique achievements, such as combining national currencies in a new, shared currency – the euro – and establishing a single market without borders in which goods, persons, services and capital can circulate freely. The European Union has become a major commercial power and makes itself heard in the international arena, seeking to protect the environment and expand its development aid.

Over half a century after its establishment, the European Union is adapting to its successive phases of enlargement by inventing a new way of formulating policy, in a bid to make its workings simpler and clearer. The Lisbon Treaty sets out the course for EU integration in the 21st century in line with the concerns of its citizens and people around the world.

Rotating presidency

Belgium was part of a team presidency with Spain and Hungary from 1 January 2010 until 30 June 2011 in the context of a joint 18-month programme, drawn up in collaboration. Succeeding Spain, Belgium officially concluded its Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 31 December 2010 and handed it over to Hungary. This was the twelfth time that Belgium has held the presidency. Did Belgium reach the targets it initially set itself? Below is the assessment of the Presidency, as well as some significant figures.

Assessment of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union presented by Steven Vanackere: "Joining forces for a Europe in action"

(PDF, 38.37 Kb)
The Presidency in figures (PDF, 22.6 Kb)

From 1 January 2012, Danmark holds the Presidency in trio with Poland and Cyprus.
All information on the current Danish Presidency is available at http://eu2012.dk  .

The Belgian site is still available for viewing: www.eutrio.be