Brussels, 14 December 2021 (TDI): The Committee of Ministers of the Benelux Union met under the chairmanship of Sophie Wilmes, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the Egmont Palace in Brussels on the 13th of December 2021.
Benelux Union Representation:
The Netherlands was represented by Ben Knapen, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Jean Asselborn, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, represented Luxembourg.
FM #Asselborn met his colleagues @ministerBZ & @Sophie_Wilmes for the annual #Benelux Committee of Ministers meeting🇧🇪🇳🇱🇱🇺
Thank you to our friends from 🇧🇪 for all the work during their presidency. #Luxembourg is looking forward to taking over the Benelux presidency in 2022🤝 pic.twitter.com/w7Dw1leqVw
— MFA Luxembourg 🇱🇺 (@MFA_Lu) December 13, 2021
Aim of the Committee of Union Meeting
The Committee of Ministers discussed with Alain de Muyser and Frans Weekers, College of Secretaries-General, about the evaluated result got in 2021.
The guiding principle of implementing the 2021 annual plan was to reinforce relations with the European Union. Projects in the areas of the internal market, sustainability, and security are mainly concentrated. The Presidency also discussed the great significance of tangible results regarding the impact on the lives of citizens and entrepreneurs.
Sophie Wilmes, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Foreign Trade, and Federal Cultural Institution, tweeted:
Last meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the @beneluxunion under Belgian Presidency. Together we achieved tangible results that have a real impact on the lives of citizens and entrepreneurs. @MFA_Lu @ministerBZ 🇧🇪🇳🇱🇱🇺 pic.twitter.com/ianjV9ehFU
— Sophie Wilmès (@Sophie_Wilmes) December 13, 2021
The ministers commended the cooperation during the Coronavirus pandemic. Cooperation in foreign policy proved the strong connection between the Benelux countries. Many digital meetings were held between ministers and officials of three countries during the pandemic.
Sophie Wilmes, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said, “Belgium takes stock of a successful Benelux presidency. I remain convinced that Benelux cooperation is more necessary and relevant than ever, and that the Benelux Union can fully play its role and help meet the many challenges we are faced by complementing each other with the European Union.”
“The Benelux is not only a laboratory for European cooperation but also an exemplary model of regional integration, a motor, and a source of inspiration for other regions in Europe and beyond. With initiatives in the fields of the economy and the internal market, sustainable development, and security, we have achieved tangible results,” she added.
During their meeting, the ministers also discussed the projects for shaping together in the next year, 2022. It also decided that Luxembourg will gain the presidency and serve meeting, next year.
The annual Benelux summit is scheduled between heads of government and the College of Secretaries General of Benelux, on the 16th of December 2021.
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