EU Update

Ready for the Belgian Presidency

This week, Belgium assumes the rotating presidency of the European Council for the 12th time. Belgium, home to many of the institutions and of the newly appointed President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, is looking to run a focused and effective agenda. Belgium’s experience with the Presidency has in the past lead to the advancement of the EU’s objectives. There are still several pieces of EU legislation in the Council pipeline, however there are no doubts about Belgium’s commitment to its role and responsibilities, as well as its ability to achieve consensus and results in periods of political uncertainty.

AmCham EU’s outreach to the Belgian Presidency commenced in early January, when AmCham EU’s Presidency Group, in coordination with AmCham Belgium met with a number of leading Belgian officials and stakeholders. We had positive engagement on a number of shared policy objectives and it is clear that we have strong alignment in many areas.

In May, we also had the honor of hosting Jean de Ruyt, Belgian Permanent Representative to the EU, at our plenary meeting, where he presented the priorities for the Presidency and agenda. The meeting also provided us an opportunity to present Ambassador de Ruyt with our Recommendations for the Belgian Presidency. The document highlights AmCham EU’s positions on several policy areas that the Presidency will be working on during its mandate.

Effective implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, the EU’s 2020 strategy, negotiations on climate change and the Stockholm program all feature prominently on the Belgian EU Presidency’s priority list. Other priorities include the EU’s reaction to the continuing financial crisis, organization of fiscal consolidation in order to reduce member states’ budget deficits and ensure growth over the next ten years, as well as preparation for the forthcoming United Nations’ Climate Change Conference in Cancun.

We hope the Belgian Presidency will continue efforts to move Europe on a sustained and effective recovery path by working to mitigate the impact of the economic and financial crisis and, in so doing, improve the conditions for a competitive business climate for American companies invested in the EU. The Presidency will have to find the right balance and, in particular, AmCham EU encourages the Presidency to work within a transatlantic framework when considering regulation of markets.

AmCham EU also urges additional concrete steps be taken to deepen and widen the Single Market, help business and stakeholders move into a low-carbon economy, and to encourage innovation as a driver for economic growth. We look forward to working closely with the Belgian Presidency in addressing and implementing a number of EU policies.