KUWAIT: On the occasion of the end of the term of the Belgian Presidency of the European Council, the Embassy of Belgium to Kuwait held a reception on Wednesday, marking the handover to Hungary. During her speech, Anne Koistinen, EU Ambassador to Kuwait, noted that the Presidency of the EU Council rotates every six months, as it plays a crucial role in advancing the EU’s legislative agenda and facilitating agreements among member states.
"Our cooperation with the Belgian Presidency has been excellent. While we may not witness the daily legislative work managed by the Presidency in Brussels, the team of European Presidency’s spirit can certainly be felt in Kuwait. Among the many notable events, I fondly recall the joint public diplomacy activity at the Lycée Français de Koweït during Europe Month, with support from the French Embassy. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with our Hungarian colleagues over the coming months,” she added.
She emphasized that the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, which has unfolded over the past ten months, cannot be forgotten, adding "The EU will continue to join forces with Arab partners and others committed to peace to end the war in Gaza and promote regional de-escalation.” She congratulated Ukraine on its recent Independence Day, reaffirming the EU’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine in its existential struggle for independence and sovereignty, which is equally existential for the EU.
In his turn, Christian Domes, the Belgian Ambassador, noted that the Belgian Presidency of the European Union (BPEU) focused on three main goals: finalizing legislative files before the European Parliament’s dissolution, addressing ongoing crises, and preparing the EU for the future. He concluded that the Belgian Presidency promised to deliver, and they did, adding "We protected, strengthened, and prepared the EU for today and tomorrow. Belgium extends its best wishes to the upcoming Hungarian Presidency for a successful term.”
The Hungarian Ambassador, Andras Szabo explained that in July, Hungary began its six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will run until December 2024, pointing out that Hungary will work as an honest broker, in the spirit of sincere cooperation between member states and institutions, for the peace, security and prosperity of a truly strong Europe.
The ambassador noted that the Hungarian presidency comes at a pivotal time within the institutional cycle, following the European Parliament elections and during an ongoing institutional transition, saying that the primary focus of the presidency is to ensure a smooth transition, assisting both the European Parliament and the European Commission, while maintaining stability and continuity.
"The presidency also aims to initiate strategic policy discussions in key areas such as EU competitiveness, security, defense, enlargement, cohesion, agriculture, and demographic challenges. The Hungarian presidency prioritizes the adoption of a New European Competitiveness Deal to enhance productivity and growth across the Union and underscores the need for improved European defense capabilities in response to global conflicts,” he stated.
On the international front, he indicated that the Hungarian presidency aims to prevent regional escalation in the Middle East, ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need in Gaza, and support the EU’s role in the long-term political settlement of the conflict while strengthening cooperation with Gulf countries and enhancing EU-GCC relations in security, counterterrorism, energy, trade, and investments are also key objectives. Additionally, they seek to restore stability and secure supply chains in the Red Sea region.