Actions

As of 1 January 2024, Belgium will hold the 6-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, taking it over from Spain.
The incoming Presidency has a rich agenda that will focus around six key areas:
Defending rule of law, democracy, and unity;
Strengthening our competitiveness;
Pursuing a green and just transition;
Reinforcing our social and health agenda;
Protecting people and borders;
Promoting a global Europe.
eu-LISA is very much looking forward to working close with the Presidency on topics that are of common interest to both parties.
On cross-border police and judicial cooperation, the incoming Presidency will develop a common understanding to advance the legal integration of cross-border police cooperation. Recognising the significance of a well-functioning judicial system within the EU, the Presidency will also prioritise several initiatives aimed at strengthening judicial cooperation.
On the topic of Asylum and migration, in line with the roadmap agreed to with the European Parliament, the Presidency aims to address all remaining legislative files associated with the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.
With regard to the Schengen Area, the Presidency wants to advance proposals that contribute to a better functioning and resilience of the Schengen Area.
On the digital front, specifically around cybersecurity, Belgian officials will push for a joint approach to 'active cyber protection', described as "bolstering proactive measures for preventing, detecting, monitoring and abating network security breaches across the Union." A review of EU cyber policy and the institutional landscape ahead of the next EU legislature are also proposed.
On data protection, Belgium has already namechecked the new draft law for common procedural rules for cross-border enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) with a long paragraph on upholding proper implementation of the privacy's rulebook. It will help adopt a final report on law enforcement access to data, laying the groundwork for future laws.
An ambitious programme that eu-LISA is excited to take part in, side-by-side, with the Presidency team!
Close collaboration with all our partners is essential to contributing to the achievement of Member States' priorities in the area of Justice and Home Affairs. Throughout the years, eu-LISA has cooperated with Council Presidencies and has traditionally co-organised its flagship events together with the presiding country. The Agency's latest Industry Roundtable, held in Nov 2023, benefited from the support of the Spanish Presidency, while the latest Annual Conference was organised under the auspices of the Czech Presidency.