Belgian EU Presidency short on clear priorities

摘要

The Belgian EU Presidency is expected to hold few surprises and to be limited to ensuring the continuity of the different issues as the country prepares to take up its six-month term at the helm, on 1 July, with a caretaker government.rnThis low-profile approach stems from the political crisis in which Belgium is embroiled and the fact that the formation of a government after the elections, on 13 June, will probably take months.rnMeanwhile, the Presidency will be unable to launch major initiatives. The second reason is directly related to the Lisbon Treaty, which tends to place the rotating Presidency in the shadow of the European Council president and the high representative for foreign affairs.