​In a European Committee of the Regions debate with Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belgium, Karl Vanlouwe welcomed the Presidency of the Council as a true regions led Presidency.

He said that the priorities of this presidency are clear: we need to bring back stability protection in turbulent times. The war in Ukraine, the war against Hamas and Houthi’s attacks in the Red Sea show that we need stability more than ever.

Furthermore the EA President that stability in the EU goes hand in hand with security of supply: continuity in the production chain is the basis of our regional economies and the EU must therefore ensure its self-reliance.  Mr Vanlouwe also called for a new Blue deal for Europe to combat droughts and flooding.