The Permanent Representative of Belgium to the EU, H.E. Jean de Ruyt presented the priorities of the Belgian EU presidency at CEPS on July 20th. The main challenge for the EU and the Council presidency, underlined de Ruyt, is to develop an exit strategy from the economic and financial crisis. The Belgian term will also prioritise stronger institutional relations with the European Parliament and European Council, adding that the increase of co-decision making with the European Parliament creates a new responsibility for the rotating presidency. Addressing ambiguities in the Lisbon Treaty, building up the European External Action Service and developing an EU foreign policy are also issues that feature high on the Belgian Presidency agenda.