Belgium assumes rotating presidency of Council of the European Union

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Belgium on Monday assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

“Belgium assumes the rotating presidency for the thirteenth time, at a moment when the European Union stands at a crossroads, dealing with the consequences of the Russian illegal aggression in Ukraine, the pandemic, the energy crisis, disinformation, extreme climate events, and a renewed conflict in the Middle East,” said the council in a statement.

The Belgian presidency will work for better protection of European citizens and to strengthen cooperation between member states, it added.

It also stressed that the six-month presidency “will provide particular attention to maintaining our unwavering support to Ukraine.”

After Belgium, Hungary will take over the rotating presidency on July 1 for the next six months.