The Belgian presidency's work programme  for the coming 6 months fits into the 18-month programme that Belgium drew up with Spain and Hungary (whose presidency will start next year). Belgium's top priority is to implement the Lisbon Treaty which simplifies EU decision-making procedures and which came into force last December.

During the Spanish presidency, Europe was preoccupied with the fall in the value of the euro and public debt. Now the task is to get the economy growing again, and improve economic governance. The Belgian programme also includes plans to set up a new EU structure to supervise financial markets.

A Federal state with a population of over 10 m, Belgium is currently in the process of forming a new government after recent elections. This has given rise to some concerns about its EU presidency but caretaker Prime Minister Yves Leterme has given assurances that Belgium is capable of taking on the task. And there is a broad consensus in support of its programme – the result of two years of preparation.