Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Credit: MAE

On Thursday 30 January 2025, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, inaugurated Luxembourg’s Presidency of the Benelux Union in his capacity as President of the Benelux Committee of Ministers.

As reported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Minister Bettel highlighted the historical significance of the Benelux as a pioneer of regional integration that laid the foundations for the European project: “This year is a symbolic milestone in our shared history: it coincides not only with the 70th anniversary of the creation of its Interparliamentary Assembly but also with the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement. These milestones not only commemorate our past achievements and our role as a forerunner but also inspire us to chart an ambitious path for the future of our cooperation.”

Luxembourg has defined its priorities based on the three pillars outlined in the Benelux Union Treaty: the internal market, sustainable development and justice and home affairs. Through key actions and projects, the Grand Duchy will continue to uphold its core values - reliability, dynamism and openness - for the shared benefit of the Benelux, the European Union, its citizens and businesses. Within this framework, Minister Bettel outlined the three cross-cutting priorities that will define Luxembourg’s Presidency:

- Advancing and prospering through integration and innovation
- Promoting cooperation with neighbouring regions
- Protecting and securing citizens

Minister Bettel's address was followed by video messages from Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Quintin, and the Netherlands’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caspar Veldkamp. The Secretary-General of the Benelux Union, Frans Weekers, then presented the Benelux work plan for 2025.

Attendees at the launch ceremony included members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Luxembourg, as well as stakeholders and representatives of Luxembourgish and Greater Region institutions, including the Minister-President of the German-speaking Community of Belgium, Oliver Paasch.

Prior to the launch ceremony, Minister Bettel also held a meeting with members of the Benelux Interparliamentary Assembly.