Credit: SG Union Benelux
On Friday 11 February 2022, Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, together with his Belgian and Dutch counterparts, Sophie Wilmès and Wopke Hoekstra, officially launched the Luxembourg presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Benelux Union for the year 2022.
Minister Asselborn presented the priorities of Luxembourg's presidency: in 2022, the Grand Duchy will work for a Benelux that emerges stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic, for a green, safe and competitive Benelux and for a Benelux that seeks synergies with neighbouring regions. Luxembourg will also continue to deepen political cooperation between the three countries in the area of foreign affairs.
As the European Union (EU) faces several challenges, Minister Asselborn recalled that "Luxembourg is deeply attached to the Benelux, which continues to play its role as a laboratory, a model and a catalyst for European integration".
Given the context of the pandemic, the launch event, which is traditionally open to a wider audience, took place in a virtual format. In addition to the three foreign ministers, Alain de Muyser, Benelux Secretary General, attended this virtual event.
