This year, the Belgian EU presidency will organize a Gymnich meeting on February, 3rd. This informal meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers is celebrating its 50th anniversary and is named after Gymnich Castle in Germany, where the first informal meeting of the Council took place in 1974. The informal nature of the Council is mainly expressed through the relative isolation in which the Ministers can exchange views on various topics. This should allow them to speak openly about topics that go beyond the current news, without advisors, in an atmosphere of confidentiality. 

This year, the Gymnich will start on February 2nd with a dinner at the Africa Museum, in the presence of the ASEAN ministers. Belgian author David Van Reybrouck and Belgian musician Alice on the Roof will stimulate the guests’ minds and ears during the meal. The dinner is an invitation-only event, the press is not invited.  

The next day, the ministers will move to the stately Egmont Palace, where they will discuss the relations between the EU and Africa in a context of growing challenges. The Belgian EU presidency wants to build on the conclusions of the EU-Africa Summit that took place in February 2022 to underscore the need for dialogue, cooperation, and engagement in the light of ever-growing geopolitical challenges. 

Africa is facing a deteriorating security situation, pressure on constitutional rights, stagnating socio-economic development, and a worrying impact of climate change. The Belgian presidency wants the EU to further consider how to better understand African ambitions and vision and take steps forward for better representation in multilateral fora. On the other hand, the question arises of how the EU can better fulfill its commitments and meet the expectations of African partners. This undoubtedly includes a better mobilization of EU resources to make the necessary contributions to fight crises and increase stability. 

In the afternoon, the ministers will discuss EU-Türkiye relations. Following the Joint Communication of November 29th on the political, economic, and trade relations between the EU and Türkiye, the meeting will focus on the various regional developments. The EU will review the extent to which cooperation is possible in the field of foreign policy and security. Specific attention will be paid to democratic reforms, stability, and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus. 

Press moments

Doorstep

• Doorstep video
• Doorstep transcription

Press conference

• Part 1: Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
• Part 2: Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
• Part 3: Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade and Federal Cultural Institutions of Belgium