Democratic security and the future of Europe’s rule-based order will be at the heart of the first official visit to Belgium by Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe,
on 5 and 6 February.
The visit marks an important diplomatic milestone for the head of the 46-member organisation, coming at a time of growing geopolitical tension and mounting pressure on democratic institutions across the continent.
On Thursday, 5 February, in Brussels, Berset will be received by His Majesty King Philippe at the Royal Palace. He is also scheduled to hold a series of high-level bilateral meetings with Belgian leaders, including Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot, Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden, and President of the Belgian Senate Vincent Blondel.
Strengthening cooperation amid global challenges
Talks are expected to focus on deepening cooperation between Belgium and the Council of Europe, with particular attention to the role of the European Court of Human Rights. Discussions will also address current geopolitical developments and the growing threats facing the international rules-based system.
During the visit, the Secretary General is set to stress the urgent need to reinforce democratic security across Europe. He will highlight the risks posed by disinformation campaigns and foreign interference in democratic processes, as well as outline the Council of Europe’s next steps to ensure justice and accountability for crimes committed in Ukraine.
Later on Thursday, Berset will deliver the keynote address at an event titled “Towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe”, organised by the Faculty of Law and Criminology at the Université libre de Bruxelles. The initiative forms part of the Council of Europe’s broader efforts to revitalise democratic engagement across the continent.
He will also meet representatives of Belgian civil society at the Council of Europe’s Brussels office, with a special focus on youth participation in democratic life — a cornerstone of the proposed New Democratic Pact.
On Friday, 6 February, the Secretary General will travel to Bruges to visit the College of Europe. There, he will give a high-level speech and engage in discussions with staff and students, including participants from the EU Diplomatic Academy programme, rounding off a visit aimed at reinforcing Europe’s democratic foundations. Photo by Swiss federal chancellry / Annette Boutellier & Yoshiko Kusano, Wikimedia commons.