Olivier Chastel, Belgian State Secretary for European Affairs, has recently announced the six major European projects the Belgian Presidency will focus on during its 6-month term (July-December 2010), namely:

• Implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon, which came into force on 1 December 2010;
• Launch of the EU 2020 strategy, which will guide EU policies in the coming decade;
• Pursuit of international climate and energy negotiations;
• Implementation of the Stockholm programme in the areas of justice, asylum and immigration;
• Continuation of enlargement negotiations;
• Preparation of 2011 budget and mid-term revision of financial perspectives.  

Further details on the specific priorities and budget of the Belgian Presidency should be ready in the near future. In February, the Belgium government was due to consult civil society to seek its input on the ideas on the future presidency and the organisation of seminars on key themes during the period of the Belgian Presidency.  

Belgium priorities will be in line with the 18-month joint programme agreed by the current and two upcoming presidencies: Spain, Belgium and Hungary.