Luxembourg has officially assumed the Benelux Presidency
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On 30 January 2025, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, officially launched the country's presidency of the Benelux Union.
In his speech, the Minister emphasised the historical role of Benelux as a pioneer of European integration. This year, the region celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Benelux Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement, which makes 2025 particularly symbolic.
The Luxembourg programme is based on the three pillars set out in the Benelux Treaty of Union:
- Development of a single market,
- Sustainable Development,
- Justice and Home Affairs.
Within these areas, Luxembourg has identified three key horizontal priorities for 2025:
Integration and innovation as engines of progress and prosperity
Expanding cooperation with neighbouring regions
Protection and security of citizens
Following Xavier Bettel's speech, video messages from Bernard Quintin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium, and Caspar Veldkamp, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, were shown.
The Secretary General of the Benelux Union, Frans Weekers, presented the Benelux Work Plan 2025.
Prior to the official ceremony, Xavier Bettel also held a meeting with members of the Benelux Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, and the event was attended by diplomats, representatives of Luxembourg institutions and guests from the Greater Region.
Luxembourg intends to strengthen the Benelux's role in Europe, enhance economic integration and ensure the security of citizens. 2025 will be a landmark year for the region, which will continue to be the innovative and dynamic core of the EU.
