 start with a debate on the priorities of the Belgian presidency. I particularly welcome our guest of honor, Haja Lapebe, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions of Belgium. So, as of the 1st of January 2024 and during the first half of 2024, Belgium will be holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union, as you all know. The year 24 will be marked also by the start of a next European institutional cycle. Before the elections, the outgoing Commission and Parliament will finalize key legislative initiatives and set policy priorities for the future. Now, from our side, we will make the voice of local and regional authorities heard at the Mons Summit, as we discussed earlier, where we will hand over to your Prime Minister the declaration with a number of priorities and key messages for your presidency. So, we really appreciate you coming today, Minister, and we really look forward to hearing from you more about the priorities of the Belgian presidency. Thank you for joining us. You have the floor. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mesdames et messieurs les membres du comité des régions, thank you. First of all, thank you very much for the invitation. It's a real honor to address you today during the first plenary session of the year on the occasion of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union. If you don't mind, I will follow in French. I see that some of you are delighted, so, super. Donc je ne vous apprendrai rien en vous disant que nous sommes à un moment charnière de notre histoire avec des défis immenses. Nous sommes confrontés à deux guerres, à nos frontières, des tensions géopolitiques accrues et la nécessité de faire une transition durable de notre économie. Des défis qui touchent nos instances publiques, que ce soit au niveau d'un pays, d'une région ou d'une ville. En même temps, la fin de la législature européenne approche à grand pas. Et c'est dans ce context particulier que nous avons pris la présidence tournante le 1er janvier et ce, avec un double défi. Premièrement, nous devons finaliser un maximum de dossiers législatifs. Et il reste beaucoup de boulot, avec des dizaines de dossiers en trilogue qui doivent être finalisés avant la fin du mois de février. C'est une immense tâche, mais nous avons l'ambition et l'énergie d'arriver au bout de cette noble tâche. Deuxièmement, il s'agira aussi pour nous de préparer l'avenir, avec notamment des discussions sur l'agenda stratégique 2024-2029 en vue du prochain cycle législatif. Et l'avenir a plus long terme également. C'est une mission importante, car il ne s'agit de rien d'autre que de jeter les bases de l'avenir de notre Union européenne. Bien sûr, nous souhaitons aborder ces doubles missions en collaboration avec le Comité des Régions. Ainsi, la Présidence Belge a soumis plusieurs demandes d'avis au Comité des Régions. Et ces avis nous l'espérons feront contribution utile pour le travail législatif qui nous reste à mener à bien ou pour la préparation du futur de l'Union européenne. Permettez-moi maintenant de vous présenter brièvement les six priorités de notre Présidence Belge que nous avons aussi rassemblées sur le slogan « Protéger, renforcer, préparer ». Donc une valse à trois temps, si vous le voulez bien, qui peut se décliner en six mouvements. Premiers mouvements, notre attachement au renforcement de notre démocratie, de l'état de droit et de nos valeurs communes. C'est la base même sur laquelle tout le projet européen est construit et nous nous devons de renforcer et de défendre ces bases nos fondamentaux. Nous examinerons notamment la possibilité d'utiliser les divers instruments à disposition pour faire respecter l'engagement européen en matière de démocratie et d'état de droit. Nous nous concentrerons aussi sur le plan d'action pour la démocratie européenne avec le paquet législatif sur la défense de la démocratie qui a été présentée par la Commission en décembre dernier. Nous sommes aussi pleinement engagés à atteindre les objectifs et principes de la législation européenne sur la liberté des médias, European Media Freedom Act, et nous nous réjouissons qu'un accord ait déjà pu être trouvé. Ensuite, nous poursuivrons également les discussions pour un accord inter-institutionnel sur la création d'un organ européen chargé des questions d'éthique. Ce sera l'occasion de renforcer l'intégrité qui, il est vrai, a été quelque peu mise à mal dernièrement de nos institutions européennes. Deuxième mouvement, celui du marché intérieur, de la compétitivité, de la base économique et du commerce. Nous avons, parmi nos entreprises européennes, des leaders mondiaux, innovants, résilient et elles doivent le rester. Dans l'esprit d'une autonomie stratégique ouverte, la présidence belge attachera une grande importance au renforcement de la base industrielle et économique européenne ainsi que des chaînes d'approvisionnement sur et diversifiées. La sauvegarde de la compétitivité de nos entreprises et de l'intégrité de notre marché unique et de son level playing field est évidemment essentielle. Parallèlement, nous sommes engagés à progresser vers une future industrie européenne zéro émission nette, en mettant particulièrement l'accent sur nos PME, nos petites et moyennes entreprises. Par conséquent, nous nous engageons pleinement dans la négociation autour des dossiers cruciaux, y compris le règlement pour une industrie zéro nette pour lequel les premiers trilogues ont eu lieu tout récemment. Pour assurer le futur bien-être de nos citoyens, l'Union européenne doit réussir évidemment la double transition. Cela nécessitera des investissements considérables, mais aussi des capitaux privés. C'est pourquoi la présidence belge fera progresser au tant que possible les efforts autour de l'union des marchés de capitaux. Notre présidence continuera également à travailler sur la révision de la gouvernance économique. Et à cet égard, il est essentiel que nous disposions d'un cadre solide pour garantir la discipline budgétaire tout en laissant une marge de manœuvre pour les investissements. Sous la houlette du président du Conseil européen, nous espérons que le Conseil européen formel de main puisse aboutir évidemment un accord sur la révision à mi-parcours du cadre financier pluriannuel. Enfin, pour examiner de plus près l'impact des récents développements sur le marché unique, la présidence belge accordera une attention toute particulière aux rapports indépendants qui sera remis tout prochainement par l'ancien président, l'ancien Premier ministre l'Etat sur l'avenir du marché unique. Et nous prendrons également connaissance du rapport Draghi, lui sur la compétitivité. Le troisième mouvement vise à poursuivre la nécessaire transition écologique. Dans ce domaine, la Belgique articulera sa présidence autour de trois thèmes prioritaires. La transition juste, l'adaptation et la résilience, et enfin l'économie circulaire. Au coeur de nos priorités se trouve évidemment la finalisation du Green Deal. Nous avons déjà obtenu un accord en trilogue concernant les normes d'émission pour les véhicules industriels lourds, mais ce n'est pas terminé. Il reste encore de nombre de dossiers à finaliser pour lesquels nous sommes pleinement engasés. Et je pense, par exemple, à des dossiers tels que la directive relative aux emballages et d'échets d'emballage, la directive sur la qualité de l'air ou encore sur le traitement des eaux usées. Alors en ce qui concerne l'agriculture, nous renforcerons la souveraineté alimentaire et ça commence par le respect pour nos agriculteurs, car c'est leur engagement quotidien qui nous permet d'avoir une agriculture forte en Europe, ce que nous devons évidemment absolument préserver. Nous sommes très sensibles évidemment au mécontentement exprimé par les agriculteurs aux quatre coins de l'Europe tout dernièrement et aujourd'hui encore des mesures d'ailleurs viennent d'être annoncées aujourd'hui par la Commission avec donc la continuité de l'accord de libre-échange qui est prolongé pour l'Ukraine mais avec des clauses supplémentaires de sauvegarde. Voilà, donc c'est déjà un pas. La président se tient évidemment prête à travailler sur toutes les propositions qui seraient soumises par la Commission par rapport à l'agriculture. Le quatrième mouvement concerne le renforcement de notre programme social et de santé. Durant notre présidence, nous mettrons l'accent sur un agenda social solide basé sur le socle européen des droits sociaux. Outre les nombreux dossiers législatifs, nous organisons aujourd'hui d'ailleurs un sommet partenaire social à Val-du-Chès et auquel la présidence donnera suite avec une déclaration interinstitutionnelle de la ULP. Nous voulons également renforcer notre union de la santé, une thématique qui a beaucoup gagné en importance depuis la pandémie. La présidence emploiera à réaliser un triple objectif. Tout d'abord mieux préparer notre union aux éventuels futures crises sanitaires, renforcer les systèmes de santé européen et garantir la sécurité d'approvisionnement de médicaments. Notre objectif est clair. Tous nos efforts visent à améliorer les services de santé pour nos citoyens et soutenir l'innovation dans le secteur pharmaceutique. Cinquième mouvement, nous attacherons une attention particulière à la protection des citoyens et de nos frontières. La migration, et vous le savez, est une préoccupation majeure pour les citoyens européens. La présidence espagnole a pu concrétiser un accord politique sur le pact asile et migration avec le Parlement européen, ce qui est une excellente nouvelle. Et le pact doit renforcer la confiance, la solidarité entre les États membres et améliorer la gestion des migrations. Il nous appartient maintenant de le codifier et d'affiner les détails techniques et d'en assurer, bien sûr, la mise en œuvre. Nous aurons également une attention particulière pour la lutte contre la criminalité organisée, la prévention et la lutte contre le terrorisme. Alors en ce qui concerne la défense, il s'agira de consolider la base technologique et industrielle européenne de la défense et examiner les possibilités d'une approche plus intégrée de notre Union, car également dans le domaine de la défense et également dans le domaine de la défense que l'Union fait la force. Enfin, j'en viens au dernier mouvement, la promotion d'une Europe, d'une Europe globale. Dans le context géopolitique actuel, maintenir et renforcer notre place sur la scène internationale est un défi majeur. La guerre en Ukraine continuera à occuper une place importante dans notre agenda. Nous devons continuer d'aider le peuple ukrainien aussi longtemps qu'il faudra as long as it takes, comme on dit à chaque Conseil européen. Il y a aussi évidemment la situation au Moyen-Orient qui nous préoccupe tous les jours, la désescalade, le respect du droit humanitaire international sont évidemment essentiels, ainsi que la relance des négociations pour une paix durable avec une solution à deux états. Enfin, il nous faut relancer, renforcer nos relations avec nos partenaires mondiaux en ce compris l'Afrique, l'Indo-Pacifique, entre autres en avançant sur la stratégie Global Gateway for Europe. Et enfin, de manière transversale, nous nous pencherons sur l'avenir de l'Europe, à Versailles et à Grenade. Le Conseil européen a entamé sa réflexion sur les priorités essentielles et les mesures à prendre pour que l'Europe soit forte, dynamique, compétitive et cohésive dans un monde en pleine mutation. L'Union doit renforcer ses fondations et donc se réformer avec la perspective d'un éventuel futur élargissement. Cela passe par trois volets principaux à savoir une réforme de nos institutions pour les rendre plus efficaces, plus agile, une réflexion sur nos politiques communes. Qu'est-ce que, finalement, nous voulons faire ensemble, à 27 et à plus et enfin, la manière dont on financera notre Union à l'avenir est donc avec quel budget concrètement? Parallèlement à ces réflexions, il est clair que les pays candidats devront également poursuivre leurs réformes nécessaires à une possible future intégration. Nous assurons, sous notre présidence, le suivi des orientations du Conseil européen en bon entente avec la Commission et tous les États membres. Mesdames et messieurs, les membres du comité des régions, c'était moi de conclure cet exposé introductif en soulignant l'importance pour moi d'être présente aujourd'hui avec vous pour vous présenter à vous toutes les régions européennes nos priorités et vous dire combien notre collaboration est précieuse et combien il m'est important aussi de vous écouter parce qu'en tant que belge, évidemment, plus que peut-être aucun autre pays nous connaissons bien l'importance d'impliquer les régions et les échelons locaux dans les différents processus politiques et je voudrais profiter de cette augmentation aussi pour remercier particulièrement les régions belges pour le regagement et leurs précieuses implications dans l'élaboration du programme de notre présidence j'envoie d'ailleurs quelques-uns qui sont assis au premier rang nous, non seulement sur le plan politique et législatif mais aussi avec de nombreux événements sociaux et culturels qui vise à rapprocher les citoyens de notre projet européen car c'est précisément ça qui est l'un des plus grands défis finalement de notre moment c'est rapprocher le projet européen des citoyens rapprocher ce projet de paix, de prospérité qui a vu le jour il y a déjà un petit temps qui a une longue vie encore devant elle les citoyens attendent de l'Europe qui les protège une Europe forte dans un monde turbulent avec des représentants politiques qui osent regarder vers l'avenir et qui l'embrassent comme autant de possibilités d'opportunités de développement et d'épanouissement et c'est exactement le programme finalement de notre présidence belge et c'est ce que nous souhaitons faire en tout cas on est trois collaborations et en consultation avec le comité des régions voilà je pense que j'ai assez parlé c'est à moi à présent de vous écouter je suis à votre disposition pour répondre à vos éventuelles questions thank you for a very informative speech and let me allow me to make my three references first Ukraine we expect the council tomorrow not to allow any member state to blackmail the considerable effort needed to support Ukraine and Ukraine and people fighting not only for their lives but for our lives in our democracy so do you minister our expectation is that your presidency will be able to secure 50 billion of euro to which is needed to fight with the Russian occupant and start to reconstructing Ukraine including the partnership with the alliance of regions and cities for reconstruction of Europe second point it is about the EU multi annual budget it is important for us as a vital part about 60% of EU budget is implemented under regional and local level so dear minister we need to keep in mind that strong budget including strong budget for regions and cities means strong Europe so dear minister please make sure that the council conclusions reflect the needs of our regions and local communities when discussing about EU budget and my third point is about the state of democracy in Europe democracy is strong when it is based on the ground based on the subsidarity the best occasion to remind it to underline it will be the EU elections this year and also celebrating the 30th anniversary of European committee of regions our political assembly has been created thanks to the effort of two of the long visioners Jacques Delors and Helmut Kohl they both wanted one thing to bring Europe closer to its citizens and engage them for a stronger and more responsive Europe European democracy so let's continue to reinforce our citizens trust in EU by building bridges between local, regional, national and European level in this special year thank you very much thank you our colleague thank you minister Labib thank you for your interesting and broad introduction about the priorities and I am very happy that you are impressed by the fact that the regions, cities and communities in our country have always played an important role in the implementation of those priorities and precisely because we in our country Belgium, but rather six federated entities we know how important this committee of regions is and we also respect that and we are also very active there we also play an important role in this European leadership and also the cities and communities can do their contribution you know that Belgium plays an important role but for example also Flanders will deliver the leadership for the luxury industry youth, culture, media and business and of course and I have also been there we can't go around the news in a lot of regions in Europe there are farmers on the street it is strategically important that agriculture and fisheries in the future can be guaranteed that they can continue to ensure for our daily needs of food within a European food policy and we want the European Union to continue to stand for its own food sovereignty it will be necessary for a wide range of fields of food to remain possible more specifically for the theme of food the European Commission launched in May 2020 its Van Boer-to-Boort strategy therein an ambitious and comprehensive food policy is set up through research, innovation food is high on the Flanders and the European agenda among other things the Food 2030 Initiative I am also proud to work further on that and to put the pressure on it and that you have just indicated that it is a priority for us to guarantee food security of course we also describe the importance of a flowing transition to the next institutional cycle to really ensure that best colleagues so far in the meantime and I wish us a constructive debate about this initiative thank you sorry, thank you Mr President Madam Minister dear colleagues, I see three emergencies that must guide your President a democratic emergency a social emergency and an economic emergency a democratic emergency in which only the European elections are held the polls unfortunately indicate a considerable progress of the European right-wing we have to show how the European Union can act and make the difference of the daily life of our fellow citizens do not hesitate in the field of misinformation the loyalty to Jacques Delors in the loyalty to Jacques Delors must at the European level a social and human companion of necessary ecological and digital transitions and a simplification of the procedures here are four proposals to face the social emergency while more than 80 million of European people of the Union have an economic and economic emergency a European agenda for social housing not only to co-finance the isolation of social housing but also to build more we ask for the quick conclusion of the directive on employment in digital platforms we have to declare more social justice and a fairer fiscality this goes through the implementation of the ultra-rich which will provide the proper resources of the European Union to co-finance the policy of support to ecological and digital transitions we will also reiterate the appeal to the introduction of a social tax to define what can be qualified for social investment because a social tax stimulates investments especially in health care and social services on democratic emergency territorial collectivities are responsible for more than half of the public investments while the public investment had already decreased by 20% before the crisis of the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine the Commission evaluates the public investment is necessary to achieve the commitments of the Union for digital and digital transitions to 650 billion euros per year from here in 2030 1 billion euros per year for social infrastructure so there is a need for investment of almost 1,000 billion euros per year so to de-bring the investment of territorial collectivities it is necessary a reform of the United States which raises significantly the Minimis threshold a reform of the famous dry accounting norms we must support the position of the European Parliament a reform of the economic governance of the European Union for a platformed exclusion of national co-financing allotted to the projects financed by European funds in the calculation of net budget expenses Ladies and gentlemen we know the weight of hope which weighs on the shoulders of the Belgian President but we also know that the time of action is counted that the shooting speed will be limited but know that we have a very big trust in your sense of negotiation in your sense of compromise to the Belgian and who I think will be able tomorrow to allow you to get the agreements in order to benefit the European Union of dynamism and faith of the 100,000 villages and regions of the European Union in the European Union in any case you can count on us together we can make miracles and to benefit our fellow citizens of the opportunities of the common policies of the European Union Thank you for your attention Thank you very much Our colleague Yadla please Hello Ladies and gentlemen Today we have the European Parliament and the European Commission of the European Parliament of the European Parliament of the European Parliament of the EU's Prime Minister Srystvastvair Kolinioniga and on behalf of our The European Union has changed so quickly that it is due to the cooperation of our foreign forces to move forward and the European Union to move forward together. I would like to point out that there is no need to worry about thinking. If there was a need, then the European Union would have a life-threatening and sustainable theme for the future. In the past, the European Parliament, the European Commission, the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the European Commission gave the European Union one of the most important priorities. I would like to point out that there is no need to worry about the cooperation of our foreign forces to move forward and the foreign forces to move forward. The moment we live, our homes, the life, it is all connected, so all of us can live like all of Europe does. If we have to work hard, at home we feel that we have a life-threatening and sustainable theme. We have to be patient, we have to be patient, so that the populists can see that we have a life-threatening and sustainable theme for the future. If the European Union has been created, we have a life-threatening and sustainable theme for the future. If we say to our neighbors, to our colleagues, if we listen to the voices of the elected politicians in our country, especially our young elected politicians, there is no need to worry about the life-threatening and sustainable theme. How do we encourage these people in the European Parliament to work harder than we usually do when there is no new answer? We need to think about how to forget, forget and live the life-threatening and sustainable theme for the last ten years of our life in Europe. How do we do it? Do we do it ten years? And the reality is that we need to live in the European masquerade, food and renewables. We need renewables. We need to live in the European life-threatening and sustainable theme. And my last question to the minister is that, with the help of the government and education, we are able to solve this problem with the help of the European Parliament and the European Commission during the new year. And last but not least, I would like to thank the European Parliament for its efforts. Thank you. Mr Ortil, please. Dear Prime Minister, a few comments in the name of the NKR group. We express our approval to support Ukraine on a very high level when it comes to the priorities of the Belgian president. In the United States of China, the United States on the Ukrainian side, against the brutal aggression of Russia, we still have the European Union to maintain this course. Too many Ukrainians have died and still, of course, are dying. We also expect from the coordinated efforts at the highest level of the UN institutions supporting the member states, also local authorities, regional ones, to increase the security of our external borders. There is a urgent need for drastic restrictions also on the influence of illegal immigrants to the UN. Our allies do not have a problem with removing the help of their hands to the refugees. They still demonstrate openness and friendly attitude. But this is not over. The European Union and its member states should start investing in the communication campaign, aiming to encourage illegal migrants to move into this dangerous journey to Europe. We should continue to invest in relations with the countries of origin in order to fight the smuggling and illegal migration to the European Union. As the Secretary-General said last week, we need more such relations as between the UN and Tunisia, which strongly promotes the power of the Prime Minister George Meloni. Not only did it radically reduce the number of illegal immigrants, but it also enabled the arrest of numerous criminals. Now, let's take a political note. The further impunity in this area will start with the country's nationalism. And we will complain about this. I will now allow myself to move on to another important topic, which is close to the heart of millions of Polish citizens. In recent times, the concept of equality has been a significant transformation. It has been written in Article 2 of the UN Treaty as one of the common values for all countries. According to the rule of law, all public authorities must always act within the limits set by the law. In Poland, the government of Donald Tusk has recently violated the independence of the courts and media. I must say that the silence of the European Parliament in this case sounds very disturbing, as if it were to be read as a permission. The erosion of the rule of law in the eyes of the European courts also occurs due to the recent events in Spain and its non-constitutional Amnesty Act. And here we also have a thought. I think that, after passing the election period, it is the time to call for non-use of such instruments against political opposition. Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, during the coming months of this EU presidency, the interests of the regions in the European Parliament must of course be suppressed. And I also thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, that you have been here in the Committee of the Regions. The priorities of the Belgian presidency have made you outstanding. But how do we bring back stability and protection in these turbulent times? The war in Ukraine, the war against Hamas, the attacks of the Houthis in the Red Sea indicate that we need more than ever stability. And stability goes hand-in-hand with security. Continuity in the production chain forms the basis of our regional economies. And the European Union must therefore secure its independence. If it is about your resources that are needed to make batteries, to ensure that the quality and traceability of food is full, we must not end up staying independent of countries outside the European Union. And besides that, stability goes hand-in-hand with the protection of our people and our borders. More and more European regions come under pressure by a lack of access to illegal migration. And to guarantee the internal stability of our Union, we must be made aware of a strict and strict European migration policy. The Union has many challenges that have a strong impact on our regions. And that is why it is important that, following the subsidiarity principles, the European Union is working together. An example of this is the call for a new Blue Deal from Flanders to send us weapons against droughts and floods that we see everywhere in the European Union. And we hope that the Commission will follow our initiative with specific plans and solutions. And finally, we welcome the focus on the regions during this leadership in events such as the Summit in Mons on March 18 and 19, but also the Green Deal event for citizens of all over Europe on March 15 and also the Strong Regions Summit on April 18. We wish you all the best. Good luck with your expansion in the coming months. We expect that you will always keep the rules in mind in Europe. Thank you. Thank you very much. Our colleague von Kalben, please. Mr. President, dear colleagues and colleagues, dear Prime Minister, you actually have a big package of work ahead of you. So to speak, a final sprint to the European elections, and we wish you a lot of success. The so-called difficult points are, from our point of view, all right and important. But let them call us three points that are particularly important to us as a green group. First of all, I am very grateful to you for taking a look at the future of democracy. In Germany, many people are currently going to the streets for our democracy. It is very important to us that you, especially at this point, take a look at the youth and the participation of young people. Because they are the future of Europe and they also have to have the feeling to be heard and taken with them. Second, we really hope that you will force the development of the Green Deal to a Green Deal 2.0 and, so to speak, to support the Commission to advance it. The economy must be both climate-friendly and also competitive. And from our point of view, it is not always an opposite in the opposite. Third, we really hope, you have mentioned the point, that you will continue to take a step in terms of air pollution until the election, because these are especially the injured people in the citizens and citizens of Europe who are particularly suffering from air pollution. And finally, I would like to say that, for me as a journalist here in the village of the region, I am very grateful to Arzneimittelknapphalt for bringing this topic and this research of Europe to more security, to advance it. Because I think this is also a point where we can clearly make the Europeans how important the cooperation in the EU is. And if we really take a step forward, then that is also something that gives people a better sense of security in Europe. And in this respect, I am happy that you are setting a focus at this point. Thank you and good luck. Thank you very much and thank you for respecting the time. I would like to give now the floor to our members from now on its one-minute interventions. Our colleague Herans, please. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Ladies and gentlemen, this semester will not have much time or many legislative proposals to adapt to the electoral processes we have in March, but surely it will be a fruitful semester. As we all know, the President of the Commission announced last September a strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture, which I see that you have gathered in your presidency, in your priorities. I congratulate you and I thank you as a person who has worked a lot in agriculture. I think that the importance and the space they deserve must be given. We must involve the European regions of course in the decision-making of agriculture. I hope that the meeting they have scheduled tomorrow is satisfactory and that everything we need for agriculture comes forward. In the Spanish case, I must say that we are not involved in the region as it should be. We are not involved either and we are very close to the future of the common agricultural policy. We know the region is the first hand, the first hand of the agricultural sector and therefore we should participate in the search for solutions for its great needs. Take into account. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Our colleague Van Dijk, please. No? Garcia Gonzalez. Dear Chairman, through you I want to thank Madam Minister Lajip for a presentation on the Belgian presidency of the Council. It is an intensive and ambitious program and the first month is already over. But as we have just heard there is still a heavy agenda to come. On behalf of the Dutch delegation of the European Committee of the Regents we wish our southern neighbours lots of success. But as chairman of the Dutch delegation I would particularly like to express my appreciation for the fact that Belgium is making use of the article from the Masrich Treaty that stipulates that Minister of Federated States can also be sit on the Council of the EU. An example that in our opinion deserves to be followed by future presentices. After all it is often local and regional authorities that are charged with implementation of European legislation and regulations and therefore have specific knowledge that can improve EU legislation and regulations. It would therefore be good Mr President if we as representatives of local and regional authorities united in the European Committee of the Regents and supported by the Belgian EU Presidency use our joint influence to further consolidate active participation in the Council presidency along these lines. Thank you for your attention. Thank you very much. Our colleague Garcia Gonzalez Thank you Mr President. Since the beginning of Asturias the regional public administration is uniting forces and resources with socio-economic agents of the region to strengthen the interest in joint projects with the homologues in the natural geographical framework of the Atlantic Ocean. We are convinced that the challenges that the European regions face are the answer in an isolated way. The regions of the European Atlantic have expressed and reiterated our desire to intensify cooperation in the Atlantic. We are prepared to exploit the added value of collaboration in areas such as green hydrogen, renewable energies, maritime connections, logistics and land mobility or tourism among others. For this purpose we need proper governance structures that allow us to actively participate in decision-making. We have been claiming the launch of a macro-region for a long time. The common challenges demand coordinated answers. For all of this, we ask that during this semester the final impulse for the creation and instrumentation of the macro-region in line with the conclusions of the Council of General Affairs of the European Union of December 12. You can count on our collaboration for this work. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, President and Prime Minister. I would like to draw your attention to the situation in the Middle East following the accusations of the United Nations Agency for the Occupation of Palestinian Refugees that would have seen the participation of some members of the agency in the Amaz attack against Israel last October 7. I would like to give an appeal so that you can coordinate the action at the Council of the European Union to condemn the wrongful measures at the level of the European Union. Some member states, like Italy, quickly reacted by taking the only reasonable decision, which is to suspend the help of this agency. At the same time, we have not yet understood whether the European Commission has suspended all the financing towards this agency. Following these accusations that I have just reported, we count on its support that the Belgian Council of the European Union that you represent here today asks for a further investigation and condemns this involvement in a more convincing way. Thank you. To the Belgian Council, Catalonia is here to work together. We are here to advance the great priority of the European project. Count on us. We are here to enforce the European Cohesion following the principle of the European Union. We are here to fight against fascism and populism during this decisive electoral year. We will also be here to guarantee the rights of millions of European citizens and also for Catalans to be recognized as the official language in Europe. We are here to defund European citizens who are still in prison, in exile, for the cessation of political and espionage functions, as well as for judges who are tormented by political reasons. But we will face, as always, with the negotiation, with the dialogue and the democratic principles. We are here, finally, to promote more just politics, more well-being, more democracy and more human beings, in view of the next European election, to aim at the great priority of the Belgian President and not to miss any answers. Thank you. Thank you very much, Florian Hasler. Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, protect, strengthen, and look forward, the motto of the Belgian Council is almost very good, the challenges currently for EU politics. And you are absolutely right. We must strengthen the competitive ability to turn the Green Deals back into the new legislation. Please allow me to point out the economic strength, the research strength regions in Europe are a very special role. They are driving forces of transformation and I think the EU further politics and also the help politics must be focused on these transformation regions. And one more important point in the international competition to be able to exist is that we are all leading the role of the EU in research and innovation. This is also an important financial statement by Horizon Europe. Please allow me to point out the minister in the negotiations. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. President, Mr. President, the Belgian Council in which the most important and the most important are the two wars that continue to destroy humanity in Ukraine and in the Middle East and that they can turn the European House by banishing the European Prime Minister of the House. And what is your position on the social and economic problems such as the lack of the specific plethora that we heard a while ago about transformation? It is one of the most serious problems that the European Union faces and I would like to know what is your position on the right wing that utilizes the transformation to increase its possibilities. Thank you very much. We thank you, Nikolai Dobroslavic. Thank you, Mr. President and Mr. Minister, colleagues and colleagues. Greetings President, Belgium is already the European Union. It talks about the moment in which the European Union is located and talks about challenges in front of us. It is good that the policy of expansion has found its place in the programme. It is necessary to support the country of candidates on the way to the European Union but we must also prepare the Union for expansion. Support for the country of candidates must be understood and their execution criteria for membership must be included in policies to accept the Union standards in the rule of law, media freedom, fighting against corruption, minority rights, and so on. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Madam Prime Minister, we are very happy as my colleague Christophe Ruyon said to share the objectives of your programme and we wish you great success for this presidency. We will be particularly on your side on the aspects of communication while the European elections are not approaching and communication is never as effective as when it is based on evidence. In this respect, the policy of cohesion is really the face of Europe on our territories and we are at your disposal to illustrate how, with the help of European funds, structural policies, innovative policies, local dynamics emerge whether in urban or rural areas. This long-term investment policy that prepares the future must not only be measured through the economic price of competitiveness but also with a geographical price of land management and of fighting against social and territorial inequalities. So thank you, Madam Prime Minister, for helping us to speak more about this policy of cohesion. Thank you very much, Dan Boyle. Thank you very much for the invitation. In seeking opinions from the European Council, the Belgian presidency is putting a particular emphasis on urbanism and within the Green Group we very much share this emphasis. I think it is important that in seeking such opinions and seeking the role of the Committee of the Regions in trying to advance better approaches to urbanism that need to be reused, that need to be repurposed, that can be housing for our citizens, that can provide economic well-being in terms of reaching concepts like a 15-minute city to make sure people don't travel unnecessarily to meet their economic and social needs. And more importantly, can also provide important community infrastructure that is lacking in many of urban centres. Given the short time that's available to have this as a particular priority and try to achieve it in the short time available to us, is something that set an agenda for the incoming Committee of Regions after those elections in 2024. Thank you very much. Eva Nieminen. Thank you. I am talking about the lack of security. We are today talking about the international change of the world and the conflict of hybridism. In Finland, there are 1,300 kilometres with the Raja-Venäjän. The place of the Raja-Venäjän is empty, and the Raja-Venäjän is waiting for the Raja-Venäjän to return to the place of security. Because the Raja-Venäjän is empty, it is not as empty as the Raja-Venäjän is in the same place as the Raja-Venäjän in the Raja-Venäjän and if you just can answer the questions of the guests of the guests of Finland, you can just imagine what you can see when the snow is falling and the snow is falling. Thank you. Thank you. Spartskiffer, please, our colleague. Thank you. We have come to the European financial situation and we meet often not only in Hungary, but also in Europe. And we are talking about the future of the economy. In the region, Ukraine is based on the European security, this question does not want to be solved. It is a very important task for the Ukrainian support in the defense industry, but this is not the purpose of the European economy that should be paid. If this is how it continues, then the European economy is really in a situation and the European Union is based on the situation. It is not the security, but the EU, so we too. No one is interested that this situation remains. That is why I ask you to solve this situation. Thank you. Thank you very much. And last but not least, Saba Borboli. Thank you. Within the framework of the Belgium presidency commitment to the European and just transition, I would like to advocate for the promotion of cultural policies in rural areas proposing the introduction of the European of rural Europe. This initiative centered on the cultural and creative sectors and industries is crucial for the resilience and development of rural areas. We are also focusing on traditional values. Switching focus to biodiversity and large carnivores we emphasize the challenges faced by local and regional authorities. Raising practices and intensive livestock system are essential for managing high value natural areas, providing critical ecosystem services. As we strive for a harmonious future for rural communities, we are aligned with the overall and green transition that addresses the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Thank you. Thank you very much Saba. I would like now to give the floor back to Minister Latbib for her final remarks and reaction. You are a very precious introduction because you are closer to the field, closer to the people and the concerns that people express are you who received them in the first place and who were able, thanks to a close collaboration with the ministerial level, with the European Union, with the Council, with the Commission and then you are and so I took note of all your proposals. I will now try to answer the questions by making sure that I do not represent Belgium, but the Council of the European Union. In the face of Ukraine, it was the first question and I think it is the concern that many of you have. We all hope that we will reach a consensus, a unanimity, an opinion, a favorable vote tomorrow. I think we are all aware that it is absolutely necessary to maintain the aid to Ukraine as long as it is necessary. The aid needs a financial aid, humanitarian, political and military stable. It needs perspective and it is certainly not the time to lower your arms and I think it is the life that is shared by everyone. There is no question here to help anyone singing, but we will do everything we can, everything we have as art of compromise in Belgium, to put everyone around the table. There were questions about, many questions about agriculture. Yes, again, you have the opportunity to stay in touch with farmers. It is our wish and I think it is discussed for the moment. There are many decisions, there are decisions that have already been made today that are going to be taken tomorrow. There are treaties, agreements that are scary. We also have to put in the balance everything that brings these treaties in terms of export possibilities. When we talk about transition and when we talk about just transition, it is of course an enterprise to sign up in a viable and long-term way in this transition and to really take everyone on board. That is why we have put this slogan in three times, to protect. It also means to protect our know-how, protect our farmers, protect our citizens, our borders, our defence, but also strengthen them to be on board to face this necessary transition and to look forward to the future. It is in three times, but they are closely linked. Many have asked the question of the Green Deal, of affordable housing. I therefore took the proposals of obligations that are so are ours. We have a huge amount of measures that are going to be put into nine that are put into nine via the five, which is for the objective of reducing greenhouse emissions by 55% in 2030. We have just agreed on these measures and we have to analyse how they will be able to work efficiently and what adjustments will be needed. The objective remains the climate neutrality in 2050. It is also time to think about the step after that not in 2030, but in 2040. So the President will try to lead inter-institutional negotiations on a certain number of important documents that favour the transition of the European Union to a circular economy neutral on the climate and it will also pair with the reinforcement of our companies, our dependences that are at the level of health. You know, we have the European Commission who asked for a screening of all these critical materials. It also goes through the medical and the primary materials that allow the manufacture of the medicines, but also all these rare materials, lithium, silicium, etc. that are also necessary in the energy transition and we also need equal partnerships just, intelligent, like China, but also the African countries, with which we have to strengthen our partnerships in everything that touches on the migration issue. To make the African continent a fully engaged partner in solutions, in transitions. It also goes through agreements that we have, for now, with countries like Tunisia there are agreements that are in negotiations with Egypt so we advance on this and you know that the instability of these countries obviously contributes to our instability, to migratory waves, I think that no one leaves their home, their family, their loved ones, and it's the instability of the state and the absence of economic and political perspectives that exist in some countries that push these migratory waves. Yes, there was the proposal of the creation of the macro-region that was raised in the agenda of the CAC, of the CIG, of the General Affairs Council and so we will continue to work on this issue. There were also many questions about the participation, the approach of the citizens of the European Union as such towards the citizens, towards the young I met them, not later than this morning, so I keep trying to approach the citizens of the field and I will meet them again. We must know that we also organized citizen panels on the future of Europe and the future of young people, so we really count, you know that Belgium, but I'm not talking about Belgium, it's very involved and we obviously put it in the agenda and the regions too, there are many projects in the matter that are organized by the regions. There were also questions about Gaza and the Palestinians, yes, we try to coordinate a response to the name of the 27 several countries have taken preventive measures not really, because in fact there was no payment that was planned so there is also a war of propaganda and misinformation which must be aware because there were announcements but which in fact do not want to say no more that we cut humanitarian aid to the Palestinians and I think you also have to pay attention to the decisions taken by the International Court of Justice to stay faithful to multilateralism and to the necessary help that must continue to bring to the populations currently that have a great need. There was also yes, the European year of rural Europe, very good idea I take, so I will do, I take note of all this and yes, for the hybrid threat of countries like Russia we are well aware of the attempts of foreign destabilization among others of Russia with this huge frontier of 1000 km which is there with the Finland we discuss it and so there also this agenda we are putting the best way to fight against all these attempts of injuring and destabilization especially when it comes to the election I talked about it in my introductory exhibition it is obviously the very of the human beings, the hybrid threats the attempts of destabilization of foreign interference are something that we must absolutely have in mind especially with the elections that point their nose in a few months only here I am at the end of my timing there are many things but I took note of my proposal and I thank you unfortunately Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank you for coming today I think it was a very interesting debate and we certainly wanted to hear the priorities of your presidency so I think all members really appreciate the discussion we had thank you very much