The EU calendar is tight in view of the Ukraine crisis, the refugee issue and the fight against climate change. In the light of the 2024 European elections, the pressure to make progress this year is high.
The Brussels European Quarter is still in vacation mode, but when the lights in the offices of the EU Commission, European Parliament and Council building go on again in a few days, there will be a lot to do. A total of 67 conferences are on the agenda of the EU heads of state and government and ministers, which will be orchestrated by the Swedish presidency in the first half of the year and then by Spain from July – two experienced member states. The expectations are correspondingly high.
Of course, one of the most important issues in the coming year will be the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU has so far put together nine packages of sanctions against Moscow, the last on December 16, when economic measures were expanded and additional banks and private individuals were redlisted. An extension of those measures that expire at the end of January – including restrictions on finance, energy, technology, industry, transport and luxury goods – is expected.