Dorien Nijs represents Belgian citizens' panel at Strasbourg conference on the future of Europe
This Thursday 21 January, Dorien Nijs will travel to Strasbourg and the European Parliament where she will present Belgium’s citizens’ panel recommendations at the plenary session (21 and 22 January) of the Conference on the future of Europe. Sophie Wilmès, in her capacity as Minister for European Affairs, was present at the Brussels-Midi railway station this morning to express her support and wish her good luck. As one of the 27 Member States of the European Union, Belgium has…
Implementation of the 'Metis' parliamentary resolution continues
Faced with its colonial past in Central Africa, Belgium has decided to embark on a necessary journey of research, truth and memory. The research project concerning the segregation suffered by the metis from Belgian colonization for the implementation of the parliamentary resolution ‘Metis’ is taking place in two phases. After a first phase, which started on September 1, 2019, a cooperation agreement has just been concluded between the FPS Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and…
European Affairs Council of the European Union of 14 December: Conclusions
On Tuesday 14 December, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of European Affairs Sophie Wilmès and her counterparts met for a General Affairs Council (GAC). In particular, they prepared the agenda for the European Council (16 December) and discussed the extension, stabilisation and association process as well as the Article 7 procedure in progress against Poland and Hungary. Preparation of the European Council COVID-19 The General Affairs Council addressed the subject of COVID-19…
Council of European Foreign Affairs Ministers of 13 December: Conclusions
On Monday 13 December, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sophie Wilmès, met with her European counterparts in Brussels for a Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). Energy geopolitics Before the Foreign Affairs Council, a meeting was organised by Belgium on the geopolitical aspect of energy in the presence of Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA). The discussion focused on the external dimension of the energy crisis and the geopolitical…
International Human Rights Day : Belgium commits to reducing inequality and advancing human rights
On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmès and Minister for Development Cooperation Meryame Kitir reiterate Belgium’s commitment to the protection and promotion of all human rights for everyone. The principles of equality and non-discrimination are at the heart of human rights. Both Ministers therefore support the view of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet : “This means that we…
Ministers Wilmès and Kitir keep fight against gender-based violence high on their agenda
25 November 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the international campaign ’16 days of activism against gender-based violence’. This campaign runs from 25 November (International Day against Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day) and aims at eradicating violence against women and girls worldwide. Belgium strives for a holistic approach to gender-based violence, focusing on the prevention of violence and the questioning of gender norms and stereotypes,…
The EU Strategic Compass is taking shape: "We must take control of our European security and defence."
The European Union Ministers for Defence and Foreign Affairs discussed the first version of the European Union Strategic Compass on Monday evening. In the face of increasing global competition and growing threats, the EU must develop into a reliable and credible security player, which takes greater responsibility and is able to act autonomously in cooperation with partners and where necessary. The Strategic Compass must enable the EU to take greater control of the security and defence of the…
Council of EU Foreign Ministers on 15 November: conclusions
Today, Monday 15 November, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sophie Wilmès, and her fellow ministers met in Brussels for a Foreign Affairs Council meeting. They discussed, among other things, the situation in Belarus, Ethiopia, the Sahel and the Western Balkans, and adopted conclusions expressing the EU’s unequivocal support for the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Belarus With regard to Belarus, the Council focused on the precarious humanitarian situation in the…
Meeting of the Council of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministers on 11 November: conclusions
Today, Thursday 11 November, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Sophie Wilmès and her fellow Ministers met in Brussels for a Foreign Affairs and Trade Council meeting. WHO First of all, the Council discussed the prospects for the WHO Ministerial Conference, which will start at the end of this month in Geneva. The success of this Conference is of great importance to this country. The European Union must also take on a strong, leading role, particularly in the…
Welcome ceremony for the second edition of the Benelux Youth Forum at the Egmont Palace
This 21 October, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophiè Wilmes welcomed several dozens of young representatives from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg to the Benelux Youth Forum 2021 during a reception at the Egmont Palace. The participants, all members of the European Youth Parliament (EYP), will work and debate for two days on the theme of ‘climate and sustainability’, with a special focus on mobility, energy and ‘just transition’. They will be hosted at the House of…