The Presidency of the Council ensures that the Council runs smoothly, chairs and directs discussions, tries to reconcile divergent points of view and formulates proposals for compromises so that decisions can be taken. The Presidency also plays an important role in negotiations with the other institutions of the Union, especially the European Parliament which, like the Council, has to give its assent to most European legislation.
Energy Priorities of the Belgian Presidency include the following elements:
- Preparing the Energy Action Plan;
- A blueprint for a European Energy Infrastructure Plan;
- A benchmark report on measures how to make the energy policy more consumer-friendly with a special attention to vulnerable consumers;
- Finalising the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR) review;
- Energy Efficiency: An Indispensable Tool for Decarbonising European society;
- Evolving by 2050 not only towards a low-carbon economy, but towards a low-carbon society.
Events scheduled under the Belgian Presidency:
An Informal Energy Council "Fuelling a Secure, Low-Carbon and Affordable Energy Future for Europe" taking place in Brussels, 6-7 September. The following questions will be addressed:
- How to make Energy Policy more consumer-friendly?
- How to build a Modern and Integrated European Energy Grid?
The Formal Energy Council will take place in Brussels, on 2 December.
Other Presidency events include:
- The Conference on the Energy Challenges for European Industry in Spa, 16-17 September;
- The North Seas Countries' Offshore Grid Conference in Ostend, 6 October;
- The Atomium Culture High-Level Workshop "A low-carbon society by 2050" in Brussels, 19-20 October
- The SET Plan High-Level Conference in Brussels, 15-16 November;
- The Biomass Conference in Brussels, 29 November;
- The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the North Seas Countries' Offshore Grid Initiative: Brussels, 1 December.
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